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THE 



SEVEN CHAMPIONS 



CHRISTENDOM. 



NEW BOOKS 

FOR 

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L 
THE LIVES AND EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF THE 
SEVEN CHAMPIONS OF CHRISTENDOM. New Edition, with 
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St. George of England. 



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V 



THE 



EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES 



THE SEVEN CHAMPIONS 



CHRISTENDOM. 



BY RICHARD JOHNSON. 



NEW EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED. 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY EDWARD H: CORBOULD. 




GRIFFIN, BOHN & COMPANY, 

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PREFACE. 



No Work, perhaps, has been more extensively read, 
and more generally appreciated, than " The Famous 

HlSTORIE OF THE SEVEN CHAMPIONS OF ChRISTEN- 

dome;" indeed, it is impossible to tell how much this 
extraordinary production of a comparatively unknown 
author, may have influenced the early literature of the 
country. It undoubtedly inspired the poet Spenser, 
— the first book of whose "Faery Queen" is founded 
on the first part of the " Champions ;" and it is gene- 
rally believed that Shakspeare was as familiar with < 
this work of Richard Johnson as with those of Plu- 
tarch or Chaucer. 

In the absence of any particulars of his life, we can 
only gather from the works attributed to him, that 



VI PREFACE. 

Richard Johnson was an author of repute, towards 
the end of the sixteenth or beginning of the seven- 
teenth centuries. Although the " Seven Champions " 
is the work by which he is best known, he wrote or 
compiled several volumes of ballads and romances. 
The first part of the " Seven Champions " was pro- 
bably published in 1576, and the second part some 
time before 1580. 

The materials which Johnson has so skilfully worked 
up into a history, equally poetic and romantic, he 
doubtless found in the traditional tales and knight- 
errantry common in his day throughout Europe, and 
which have been largely drawn upon by the romance 
writers of other countries. There are occasional de- 
tails and allusions in the original version, which, 
although, if judged by the standard of the period, 
they could not fairly be objected to, have been omitted 
in the present edition, as perhaps too coarse for 
the more sensitive modern reader ; and the work 
generally has been slightly condensed, where this 
could be done without affecting the continuity of the 
narrative. 

It is believed that, in its present form, the "Famous 
Historie " will be acceptable to many who have but a 



PREFACE. Vll 

dim recollection of the fascination of its pages before 
the existing phalanx of modern novels had almost 
driven it from the field, and will be welcome reading 
to the youth of both sexes who have had no farther 
opportunity of making the acquaintance of its heroes 
than that afforded by the exploits of St George and 
the Dragon in the arena of an amphitheatre. 

London, November, 1861. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. Page 

The strange and wonderful Birth op St George of England. 
His being Stolen from his Nurse by Kalyb, the Lady op 
the Woods. Her Love to him, and her Gifts. He en- 
closes her in a Rock of Stone, and redeems six Christian 
Knights out of prison, 1 



./. 



CHAPTER LT. 



St George slays the Burning Dragon in Egypt, and redeems 
Sabra, the King's Daughter, from death. Is betrayed by 
Almidor, the Black King of Morocco, and sent to the 
Soldan of Persia, where he slew two lions, and remained 
seven years in prison, 9 

CHAPTER ILL 
V 
St Denis, the Champion of France, lives Seven Years in the 
shape of a Hart; and proud Eglantine, the King of Thes- 
saly's Daughter, is transformed into a Mulberry Tree. 
They recover their former shapes by means of St Denis's 
Horse, and travel to the Thessalian Court, ... 29 

CHAPTER IV. 

How St James, the Champion of Spain, continued Seven Years ~ 
Dumb for the Love of a fair Jewess, and how he would 
have been Shot to Death by the Maidens of Jerusalem ; 
with other thing3 which happened in his travels, . . 38 

CHAPTER V. 
V 
The terrible Battle between St Anthony, the Champion op — 
Italy, and the Giant Blanderon ; and afterwards op his 
strange Entertainment in the Giant's Castle by a Thra- 
cian Lady, and what happened to him in the same Castle, 48 

CHAPTER VL 
V 

How St Andrew, the Champion for Scotland, travelled into - 
a Vale of walking Spirits ; and how he was set at liberty 
by a moving fire. of his journey into thracia, where he 
restored the Six Ladies to their Natural Shapes, that 
had lived Seven Years in the likeness of Milk-white 
Swans; with other accidents that befell this most noble 
Champion, 61 

CHAPTER YIL 

How St Patrick, the Champion of Ireland, redeemed the Six ~ 
Thracian Ladies out of the hands of Thirty bloody- 
minded Satyrs, and of their purposed travel in a pursuit 
after the champion of scotland, , . . .71 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIIL Page 

How St David, the Champion of Wales, slew the Count Pala- 
tine in the Court of Tartary; and, after, how he was 
sent to the enchanted garden of ormandine, wherein, 
by magic art, he slept seven years, 75 

CHAPTER IX. 

How St George escaped out of prison in Persia, and of his 
fierce Battle with a giant ; also, how he redeemed the 
Champion of Wales from his Enchantment; with the tra- 
gical tale of the necromancer, Ormandine, 81 

CHAPTER X. 

How St George arrived at Tripoli, in Barbary, where he 
stole away Sabea, the King's Daughter of Egypt, from 
the blackmoor klng ; and how her fidelity was known by 
the means of two llons ; and what happened to him in the 
same adventure, 94 

CHAPTER XI. 

How the Seven Champions arrived in Greece at the Empe- 
ror's NUPTIALS, WHERE THEY PERFORM MANY NOBLE ACHIEVE- 
ments ; and how, afterwards, open war was proclaimed 
against Christendom by many knights, and how every 
Champion departed into his own country, .... 106 

CHAPTER XII. 

How the Seven Champions of Christendom arrived with all 
their troops in the bay of portugal. the number of the 
Christian Host. And how St George made an Oration to 
the Soldiers, 113 

CHAPTER XIIL 

Of the Dissension and Discord that happened amongst the 
Army of the Pagans in Hungary. The Battle between 
the Christians and the Moors, in Barbary ; and how Al- 
hidor, the Black King of Morocco, was Scalded to Death 
in a Caldron of Boiling Lead and Brimstone, . . . 121 

CHAPTER XTV. 

How the Christians arrived in Egypt, and what happened to 

THEM THERE. THE TRAGEDY OF THE EARL OF COVENTRY. 

How Sabra was bound to a Stake to be Burned ; and how 
St George released her. Lastly, how the Egyptian 
King cast himself fp.om the top of a Tower, and broke 
his neck from grief for Sabra, , 131 

CHAPPER XV. 
How St George, in his Journey towards Persia, arrived in a 

COUNTRY INHABITED ONLY BY AMAZONS, WHERE HE ACHIEVED 
MANY STRANGE AND WONDERFUL ADVENTURES, .... 157 

CHAPTER XYL 

How St George and his Lady arrived in Egypt; of their 
royal entertainment in the clty of grand cairo j and 
also how Sabra was crowned Queen of Egypt, . . . 167 



CONTENTS. x i 

CHAPTER XVII. 
The Bloody Battle betwixt the Christians and Persians; 
and how the necromancer, osmond, raised up, by his 
magic art, an army of spirits to fight against the chris- 
TIANS ; how the Six Champions were enchanted, and 

RECOVERED BY St GEORGE ; THE MISERY AND DEATH OF THE 

Conjurer ; and how the Soldan dashed his brains against 

a marble pillar, 168 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

t 

How St George and his Companions were entertained in the 
Famous City of London ; and, afterwards, how Sabra was 
Slain in a Wood by the Pricks of a Thorny Brake. St 
George's Lamentation oyer her Bleeding Body ; her 
Solemn Interment, and the Costly Monument erected by 
St George. And likewise of the Journey the Seven 
Champions undertook to Jerusalem, to visit the Sepul- 
chre of Christ, 186 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Of the adventure of the Golden Fountain in Damasco. How 
six of the Christian Champions were taken Prisoners by 
a Mighty Giant; and how, afterwards, they were Re- 
leased by St George. And, also, how he redeemed four- 
teen Jews out of prison. With divers other strange 
accidents that happened, 191 

CHAPTER XX. 
Of the Champions' arrival at Jerusalem, and what befell 
them there; and afterwards, when they were almost 
Famished in a Wood, how St George obtained them Food 
in a Giant's House by his valour : with other matters of 
interest 205 

CHAPTER XXL 

What happened to the Champions after they had found an 
Image of fine Crystal in the form of a Murdered Maiden ; 

when St George had a Golden Book given him, wherein 

was written the True Tragedies of Two Sisters. And 
likewise how the Champions purposed a speedy revenge 
upon the Knight of the Black Castle for the Death of 
the two Ladies, 212 

CHAPTER XXIL 

Of the preparations that the Knight of the Black Castle 
made by Magic Art to withstand his Enemies; how the 
Seven Champions entered the Castle, and of their Furi- 
ous Encounters therein ; how they were Enchanted into 
a Deep Sleep; afterwards, how the Castle was Surren- 
dered to the Champions, 221 

CHAPTER XXITL 

how, after the christian knights were gone to bed in the 
Black Castle, St George was awakened from his sleep 
in the dead time of the night, after a most fearful man- 
ner ; and likewise how he found a knight lying upon a 
Tomb that stood over a Flaming Fire; as also of the Sor- 
rowful Lady that came from under the tomb, . . 237 



XU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Of the Tragical Discourse pronounced ey the Lady tn the 
Sepulchre, and how her Enchantment was finished ey 
St George ; and how the Seven Champions of Christen- 
dom restored the Babylonian King unto his Kingdom, . 241 

CHAPTER XXV. I 

Of the Triumphs, Tilts, and Tournaments, that were solemn- 
ly held in Constantinople by the Grecian Emperor; of 
the honourable adventures that were there achieved 
by the Christian Champions, . 252 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Of tre Praiseworthy Death of St Patrick; how he Buried 
Himself; and for what cause the Irishmen to this day 
wear a Red Cross upon St Patrick's Day, . . . .260 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Of the Honourable Victory won by St David in Wales; of his 
Death, and the cause why Leeks are worn on St David's 
Day by Welshmen, c 263 

CHAPTER XXVLTL 

How St Denis was Beheaded in his own Country; and how, by 
a Miracle shown at his Death, the whole Kingdom of 
France received the Christian Faith, 267 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Of the Splendid Church built by the Spanish Champion, St 
James, and of the Tyrannous Death the said Champion 

ENDURED, 269 

CHAPTER XXX 

Of the Strange Sights beheld by the Italian Champion, St 
Anthony, and his honourable and worthy Death in the 
Chapel dedicated to him, .272 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Of the Martyrdom of St Andrew, the Scottish Champion; and 
how the King euilt a Monastery at the place where he 
suffered, 274 

CHAPTER XXXLL 

Of the adventure performed by St George, and how he re- 
ceived his Death by the Sting of a Venomous Dragon. Of 
his honourable interment in the City of Coventry ; and 
how the King decreed the Patron of the Land should be 
named St George, 276 



THE 



SEVEN CHAMPIONS 



CHRISTENDOM. 



CHAPTER I. 



The strange and wonderful birth of St George nf England. His being stolen 
from his nurse, by Kalyb, the Lady of the Woods. Her love to him, and 
her gifts. He encloses her in a rock of stone, and redeems six Christian 
knights out of prison. * 

After the angry gods had ruined the capital city of 
Phrygia, and turned king Priam's glorious buildings 
to a waste and desolate wilderness, duke iEneas, driven 
from his native habitation, with many of his distressed 
countrymen, wandered about the world, like pilgrims, 
to find some happy region, where they might erect the 
Palladium, or image of their subverted Troy ; but be- 
fore that labour could be accomplished, iEneas ended 
his days in the confines of Italy, and left his son 
Ascanius to govern in his stead. Ascanius dying, left 
the sovereign power to Sylvius ; from whom it descen- 
ded to the noble and adventurous Brute, who being 



< 



2 BIRTH OF ST GEORGE. 

the fourth in lineal descent from ^Eneas, first conquered 
this island of Britain, then inhabited with monsters, 
giants, and a kind of wild people, without any* form of 
government. 

Thus began the island of Britain to flourish, not 
only in magnificent and sumptuous buildings, but in 
courageous and valiant knights, whose most noble and 
adventurous attempts in the truly heroic feats of 
chivalry, Fame shall draw forth, and rescue from the 
dark and gloomy mansions of oblivion. 

The land was now replenished with cities, and 
divided into shires or counties ; dukedoms, earldoms, 
and lordships were the rewards of merit and noble 
services performed in martial fields, and not bestowed 
as bribes to enslave the state, or given to indulge the 
slothful pride and effeminacy of the flatterers of the 
prince. 

The ancient city of Coventry gave birth to the first 
Christian hero of England, an%the first who ever 
sought adventures in a foreign land ; whose name is to 
this day held in high esteem through all parts of 
Europe, and whose bold and magnanimous deeds in 
arms gave him the title of " The valiant knight, St 
George of England, 5 ' whose golden garter is not only 
worn by nobles, but by kings, and in memory of whose 
victories the kings of England fight under his banner. 
It is the history of this worthy champion of our native 
country, that, by the assistance of the heavenly muse, 
divine Calliope, I have undertaken to write. 

Before his birth, his mother dreamed that she had i 
conceived a dragon, which should cause her death. | 
This frightful dream she long kept secret, till the paL 



ST GEORGE'S FATHER VISITS KALYB. O 

ful thought grew so heavy, that she was scarce able to 
endure it ; so taking an opportunity to disclose it to 
her lord and husband, then lord high steward of Eng- 
land, sne struck such terror to his heart, that for a 
time he stood speechless ; but having recovered his 
lost senses, he answered in this sort :— w My dearest 
and most beloved lady, what art and science can per- 
form, with all convenient speed shall be essayed ; for 
never will I close my eyes till I have found some skil- 
ful person, who will undertake to unfold the mystic 
meaning of these terrific dreams." 

This noble lord, leaving his delightful partner in 
company with other ladies, who came to comfort her 
in her melancholy condition, took his journey to the 
solitary walks of Kalyb, the wise lady of the woods, 
attended only by a single knight, who bore under his 
arm a white lamb, which they intended to offer as a 
sacrifice to the enchantress. Thus travelling, for the 
space of two days,'4fcey came to a thicket beset about 
with old withered and hollow trees, wherein they 
were terrified by such dismal croakings of the night 
raven, hissing of serpents, bellowing of bulls, and roar- 
ing of monsters, that it seemed to be rather the habi- 
tation of furies than a mortal dwelling ; here was the 
dark and dreary mansion of the enchantress, Kalyb, 
lady of the woods, in the midst of which she took up 
her abode, in a lonely cave, which had a strong iron 
gate at its entrance, whereon there hung a brazen 
trumpet for those to sound who wanted audience. 

The lord and knight, first offering their lamb with all 
humility before the postern of the cave, then casting off 
all fear, blew the trumpet, the sound of which seemed 



4 KALYB STEALS ST GEOEGE. 

to shake the very foundation of the earth. After 
which, they heard a loud and hollow voice utter the 
following words : 

44 Sir Knight, from whence thou cam'st return; 
Thou hast a son most strangely born; 
A champion bold, from thee shall spring, 
Who'll practise many a wondrous thing; 
Return, therefore, make no delay, 
For all is true that here I say."' 

This dark riddle, or rather mystic oracle, being 
thrice repeated in this order, so much amazed them, 
that they stood in doubt whether it were best to return, 
or sound the brazen trumpet a second time; but the 
lord high steward, being persuaded by the knight not to 
move the impatience of Kalyb, rested content with the 
answer she had given them, and, quitting the enchanted 
cave, made all the speed he could to his native habi- 
tation. In the mean time, his lady, being over-anxious 
with extreme pain and anguish, gave up her own life, 
to save that of her infant. On his breast Nature 
had pictured the lively image of a dragon ; upon his 
right hand a blood-red cross, and a gold garter on his 
left leg. He was named George, and three nurses 
were provided for him ; one to nurse him, another to 
lull and rock him asleep, and the third to prepare his 
food. But not many days after his birth, the fell en- 
chantress Kalyb, being an utter enemy to all true 
nobility, by the help of charms and witchcraft, found 
means to steal away the infant from his careless 
nurses. 

The lord high steward of England at this time re- 
turning, how were his expectations frustrated! he 



DEATH OP ST GEORGE S FATHER. O 

found his wife in her cold grave, and his son carried 
he knefr not whither. The news of these disasters 
for a yhile bereaved him of his wits, and he stood 
senseless. 

He mourned many months for his loss, and sent 
messengers into every corner of the land to make in- 
quiry after his son ; but no man was fortunate enough 
to return with happy tidings. He, therefore, storing 
himself with gold and many precious jewels, resolved 
to travel the world over, to find what he wanted, or to 
leave his bones in some remote rqpon. So leaving his 
native country, he wandered from place to place, with- 
out success, till, through care and age, his locks were 
turned to silver grey, and his venerable beard became 
like down upon a thistle: at length, quite wearied out 
with grief and fruitless toil, he laid himself down close 
by the ruined walls of a decayed monastery in the 
kingdom of Bohemia, and there finished his inquiry 
and his life together. The common people of the 
country, coming to the knowledge of his name by a 
jewel he wore in his bosom, caused it to be engraven 
on a marble stone, right over the place where he was 
buried. And there we will leave him to sleep in peace, 
and return to his son, still kept by Kalyb, the lady of 
the woods, in her enchanted cave. 

And now twice seven times the sun had run his 
annual course since Kalyb had first in keeping the 
noble St George of England, whose mind often thirsted 
after honourable adventures, and who many times 
attempted to set himself at liberty; but the fell en- 
chantress, regarding him as the apple of her eye, ap- 
pointed twelve sturdy Satyrs to attend his person, so 



6 KALYB FALLS IN LOVE WITH ST GEORGE. 

that neither force nor policy could further his intent. 
She kept him not to insult over as a slave, nor triumph 
in his wretchedness, but daily fed his fancy with all the 
delights that art or nature could afford; for she placed 
her whole felicity in him, and loved him for his beauty. 
But he, seeking glory from martial discipline and 
knightly achievements, utterly refused her proffered 
love, and highly disdained so wicked a creature. 
Whereupon she, seeing how much he neglected her, 
drawing him to a private part of the cave, began thus 
to court him : 

" Thou knowest, divine youth, how eagerly I have 
sought thy love, and how I doat upon thy manly 
charms; yet thou, more cruel than the Lybian tiger, 
dost reject my sighs and tears. But now, my dear 
knight, if thou wilt but love me, for thy sake I will 
show all the power of my magic charms, move heaven, 
if thou requestest it, to rain down stones in showers 
upon thy enemies: I will convert the sun and moon to 
fire and blood, depopulate whole regions^ and lay the 
face of nature waste." 

Our noble knight St George, considering that love 
might blind the wisest, and guessing, by these fair pro- 
mises, that he might find an opportunity to obtain his 
liberty, made her this answer: 

"Most wise and learned Kalyb, thou wonder of the 
world, I will condescend to all thy heart desires upon 
these conditions: That I may be sole governor and 
protector of this enchanted cave, and that thou dis- 
coverest to me my birth, my name, and parentage." 

She very willingly consented to these terms, and 
be<ran to answer his demands as follows: "Thou art 



KALYB ARMS ST GEORGE. 7 

by birth," said she, "son to the lord Albert, high 
steward of England; and from thy birth to this day 
have I kept thee, as my own child, within these soli- 
tary woods." So taking him by the hand, she led him 
into a brazen castle, wherein were imprisoned six of the 
bravest knights of the whole world. " These," said 
she, " are six worthy champions of Christendom: the 
first is St Denis of France, the second St James of 
Spain, the third St Anthony of Italy, the fourth St 
Andrew of Scotland, the fifth St Patrick of Ireland, 
the sixth St David of Wales; and thou art born to be 
the seventh, thy name St George of England, for so 
shalt thou be named in times to come." 

Then leading him a little farther, she brought him 
into a magnificent building, where stood seven of the 
most beautiful steeds that ever eye beheld. " Six of 
these," said she, " belong to the six champions, and 
the seventh, whose name is Bayard, will I bestow on 
thee." Then she led him to another apartment, where 
hung the richest armour in the world ; there choosing 
out the strongest corslet from her armoury, she with 
her own hands buckled it upon his breast, laced on his 
helmet, and dressed him in the armour : afterwards 
bringing forth a mighty falchion, she likewise put it in 
his hand, and said to him : " Thou art now clothed in 
richer armour than Ninus the first monarch of the 
world. Thy steed is of such force and invincible 
power, that whilst thou art mounted on his back, no 
knight in the world shall be able to conquer thee. 
Thy armour is of the purest Lybian steel, that no 
battle-axe can bruise, nor any weapon can pierce. 
Thy sword, which is called Ascalon, was made by the 



b ST CxEORGE PUNISHES KALYB. 

Cyclop?; it will hew in sunder the hardest flint, or cut the 
strongest steel ; and in its pummel there lies such magic 
virtue, that neither treason, witchcraft, nor any other 
violence can be offered to thee so long as thou wearest it. 

Thus the enchantress, Kalyb, was so blinded by the 
love she had for him, that she net only bestowed all 
the riches of her cave upon him, but gave him power 
and authority, by putting a silver wand in his hand, to 
work her own destruction. For coming by a huge 
rock of stone, he struck it with this enchanted wand, 
whereupon it immediately opened, and exposed to view 
a vast number of young infants, whom the enchantress 
had murdered by her witchcraft and sorceries. "This 
said she, " is a place of horror, where nought is heard 
but shrieks and groans of dying men and babes ; but 
if your ears can endure to hear, and eyes behold them, 
I will lead you that way." So the lady of the woods, 
boldly stepping in before, and little suspecting any 
danger from the secret policy of St George, was de- 
ceived in her own practices ; for no sooner had she 
entered the rock, but he struck the silver wand thereon, 
and it closed in an instant ; and there confined her to 
bellow forth her lamentable complaints to senseless 
stones, without any hope of being released. 

Thus this noble knight punished the wicked enchan- 
tress, Kalyb, and likewise set the other six champions 
at liberty, who rendered him all knightly courtesies, 
and gave him thanks for their safe deliverance. So pro- 
viding themselves with all things suiting their generous 
purposes, they took their journey from the enchante.d 
grove. Their proceedings, fortunes, and heroical ad- 
ventures, shall be shown in the chapters following. 



CHAPTER II. 

St George slays the burring dragon in Egypt, and redeems Sabra, the king's 
daughter, from deaih. Is betrayed by Almidor, the black king of Mo- 
rocco, and sent to the Soldan of Persia, where he slew two lions, and re- 
mained seven years in prison. 

After the seven champions departed from the enchan- 
ted cave of Kalyb, they made their abode in the city of 
Coventry for the space of nine months ; in which time 
they erected a sumptuous monument over the remains 
of St George's mother. And at that time of, the year 
when Flora had embroidered the green mantle of the 
spring, they armed themselves like knights-errant, and 
took their journey to seek for foreign adventures, ac- 
counting nothing more dishonourable than to spend 
their time in idleness, and not achieve somewhat that 
might make their names memorable to posterity. So 
travelling thirty days without any adventures worth 
noting, at length they came to a broad plain, where 
stood a brazen pillar, and where seven several ways met, 
which the worthy knights thought a proper place to 
take leave of each other, and every one went a contrary 
road ; we will, for this time, likewise take leave of six, 
that we may accompany the fortunes of our English 
knight, who, after many months' travel by sea and land, 
happily arrived within the territories of Egypt, which 
country was then greatly annoyed by a dangerous 
dragon. But before he had journeyed far in that 
kingdom, the silent night outspread her sable wings, 
and a still horror seemed to cover every part of nature. 
At length, he came to a poor old hermitage, wherein 
he proposed to seek some repose for himself and 



10 ST GEORGE ARRIVES IN EGYPT. 

horse, till the rosy-fingered morning should again re- 
laminate the vault of heaven, and light him on his 
destined course. On entering the cottage, he found an 
ancient hermit, bowing under the weight of age, and 
almost consumed with holy watching and religious tears, 
to whom he thus addressed himself : 

"Father, may a traveller, for this night, crave 
shelter with you for himself and horse; or can you 
direct me to any town or village to which I may proceed 
on my journey with safety." 

The old man, starting at the sudden approach of 
St George, made him answer : 

" That he neednot to inquire of his country, for he knew 
it by his burgonet," (for indeed thereon were engraved 
the arms of England.) " But I sorrow," continued he, 
" for thy hard fortune, and that it is thy destiny to arrive 
in this our country of Egypt, wherein those alive are 
scarce sufficient to bury the dead ; such cruel devasta- 
tion is made through the land by a most terrible and 
dangerous dragon, now ranging up and down the 
country ; the raging appetite of which must every day 
be appeased with the body of a virgin, whom he swallow- 
eth clown his envenomed throat ; and whenever this hoi\ 
rid sacrifice is omitted, he breathes such a pestiferous 
stench as occasions a mortal plague. And this having 
been practised for twenty-four years, there is not now 
one virgin left throughout all Egypt but the king's 
daughter; and she, to-morrow, is to be made an 
offering to the dragon, unless there can be any brave 
knight found who shall have courage enough to en- 
counter him, and kill him; and then, the king hath 
promised to give such a knight his daughter. 



ST GEORGE COMFORTS SABRA. 11 

life he shall have saved, in marriage, with the crown 
of Egypt after his decease." 

This royal reward so animated the English knight, 
that he vowed he would either save the king's daugh- 
ter, or lose his own life in so glorious an enterprise. 
So taking his repose that night in the old man's her- 
mitage, till the .cheerful cock, the true messenger of 
day, gave him notice of the sun's uprise, which caused 
him to buckle on his armour, and harness his steed 
with all the strong caparisons of war, he took his journey, 
guided only by the hermit, to the valley, where the 
king's daughter was to be offered up in sacrifice. 
When he approached within sight of the valley, he 
saw at a distance the most amiable and beautiful 
virgin that ever eyes beheld, arrayed in a pure white 
Arabian silk, being led to the place of death, ac- 
companied by many sage and modest matrons. 
The courage of the brave English knight was so 
stimulated by this melancholy scene that he thought 
every minute a whole clay till he could rescue her from 
the threatened danger, and save her from the insatiable 
jaws of the fiery dragon ; so advancing towards the 
lady, he gave her hopes that her deliverance was at 
hand, and begged her to return to her father's court. 

The noble knight, like a bold and daring hero, then 
entered the valley where the dragon had his abode, who 
no sooner had sight of him, than his leathern throat sent 
forth a sound more terrible than thunder. The size of 
this fell dragon was fearful to behold, for, from his 
shoulders to his tail, the length was fifty feet ; the 
glittering scales upon his body were as bright as silver, 
but harder than brass ; his belly was of the colour of 



12 FIGHT OF ST GEORGE WITH THE DRAGON. 

gold, and larger than a tun. Thus weltered he from 
his hideous den, and so fiercely assailed the gallant 
champion with his burning wings, that at the first en- 
counter he had almost felled him to the ground ; but 
the knight, nimbly recovering himself, gave the dragon " 
such a thrust with his spear, that it shivered in a 
thousand pieces ! upon which, the furious dragon 
smote him so violently with his venomous tail, that he 
brought both man and horse to the ground, and sorely 
bruised two of St George's ribs in the fall; but he, step- 
ping backwards, chanced to get under an orange-tree, 
which had that rare virtue in it, that no venomous 
creature durst come within the compass of its branches ; 
and here the valiant knight rested himself, till he had 
recovered his former strength. But he no sooner felt 
his spirits revive, than, with an eager courage, he 
smote the burning dragon under his yellow burnished 
belly, with his trusty sword Ascalon ; and from the 
wound there came such an abundance of black venom, 
that it spouted on the armour of the knight, which, by 
the mere force of the poison, burst in two, and he 
himself fell on the ground, where he lay for some time 
quite senseless, but had luckily rolled himself under the 
orange-tree, where the dragon had not power to 
offer him any farther violence. The fruit of this tree 
was of that excellence, that whoever tasted it was imme- 
diately cured of ail maimer of wounds and diseases. 

Now it was the noble champion's good fortune to 
recover himself a little by the pure aroma of the tree, 
and then he chanced to espy an orange which had- 
lately dropped from it, by tasting of which he was so 
refresheds that in a short time he was as sound as 



DEATH OF THE DRAGON. 13 

when he began the encounter. Then knelt he down 
and made his humble supplication, that heaven would 
send him such strength and agility of body as might 
enable him to slay the fell monster; which being done, 
with a bold and courageous heart, he smote the dragon 
under the wing, where it was tender and without scale, 
whereby his good sword Ascalon, with an easy passage, 
went to the very hilt, through the dragon's liver and 
heart; from whence there issued such an abundance 
of reeking gore, as turned all the grass in the valley to 
a crimson hue; and the ground, which was before 
parched up by the burning breath of the dragon, was 
now drenched in the moisture that proceeded from his 
venomous bowels, the loss of which forced him to yield 
his vital spirit to the champion's conquering sword. 

The noble knight, St George of England, having 
performed this, first paid due honour to the Almighty 
for his victory; and then, with his sword, cut off the 
dragon's head, and fixed it on a truncheon made of 
that spear which, at the beginning of the battle, shi- 
vered in pieces against the dragon's scaly back. During 
this long and dangerous combat, his trusty steed lay, 
as it were, in a swoon, without any motion; but the 
English champion now squeezing the juice of one of 
the oranges in his mouth, the virtue of it immediately 
expelled the venom of the poison, and he recovered his 
former strength. 

There was then in the Egyptian court, and had been 
for some time, Almidor, the black king of Morocco, 
who had long sought the love of Sabra, the king's 
daughter; but by no policy or means could he accom- 
plish what his heart desired. And now, having less 



14 TREACHERY OF ALMIDOR. 

hope than ever, by the successful combat of St George 
with the dragon, he resolved to try the utmost power 
of art, and treacherously despoil the victor of his 
laurels, with which he falsely designed to crown his 
own temples, and thereby obtain the grace of the lady, 
who loathed his company, and more detested his per- 
son than the crocodile of the Nile. But even as the 
wolf barks in vain against the moon, so shall this fan- 
tastical and cowardly Almidor attempt in vain to seize 
the glory won by the English knight; although he had 
hired, by gifts and promises, twelve Egyptian knights 
to beset the valley where St George slew the burning 
dragon, who were to deprive him by force of the spoils 
of his conquest. Thus, when the magnanimous cham- 
pion came riding in triumph from the valley, expecting 
to have, been received as a conqueror, with drums and 
trumpets, or to have heard the bells throughout the 
kingdom ringing with the joyful peals of victory, and 
every street illuminated with bonfires and blazing 
tapers; contrary to his expectation, he was met with 
a troop of armed knights, not to conduct him in triumph 
to the Egyptian court, but, by insidious baseness and 
treachery, to deprive him of his life, and the glory he 
had that day so nobly acquired by his invincible 
arms : for no sooner had he passed the entrance of 
the valley, than he saw the Egyptian knights brand- 
ishing their weapons, and dividing themselves, to 
intercept him in his journey to the court. So. 
tying his horse to a tree, he resolved to try his for- 
tune on foot, there being twelve to one ; yet did 
St George, at the first onset, so valiantly behave him- 
self with his trusty sword Ascalon, that, at one stroke, 



ST GEORGE ENTEKS MEMPHIS. 15 

he slew three of the Egyptian knights, and before the 
golden chariot of the sun had gone another hour in its 
diurnal course, some he had dismembered of their heads 
and limbs, and some he had cut in two, so that their 
entrails fell to the earth, and not one was left alive to 
carry home the news of their defeat. Almidor, the 
black king, stood the whole time of the battle on the 
top of a mountain, to behold the success of his hired 
champions ; but when he saw the dismal catastrophe of 
tbese mercenary knights, and how the good fortune of 
the English champion had carried the honour of the 
day, he cursed his destiny, and accused blind chance of 
cruelty in thus disappointing the hopes of his treacher- 
ous enterprise : but having a heart full fraught with 
malice and envy, he secretly vowed to himself that he 
would practise some other treachery to bring St 
George to destruction. So running before to the court 
of king Ptolemy, and without relating what had hap- 
pened to the twelve Egyptian knights, he cried out, 
"Victoria, Victoria, the enemy of Egypt is slain !" 
Upon which, Ptolemy ordered every street of the city 
of Memphis to be huug with rich arras and embroidered 
tapestry, and likewise provided a sumptuous chariot of 
massive gold, the wheels and other timberwork whereof 
were of the purest ebony; the covering, rich silk em- 
'bossed with gold ; this, with a hundred of the noblest 
peers of Egypt, attired in crimson velvet, mounted on 
milk-white coursers, richly caparisoned, attended the 
arrival of St George, who was conducted in the most 
solemn manner into the city, all the loftiest as well as the 
sweetest instruments of music both going before and 
following after the resplendent chariot in which he was 



; i sabra's lqve fob st geokgr. 

drawn to tin :' king Ptolemy; where he rarren- 

J8 of his conquest into the hands of 
the beauteous Sabra, who was so ravished v 

noble person and princely presence of the English 

'as scarcely able to speak; 
but having recovered I jok him t : ad. 

and to a rich pavi lie unbuckled his 

am, our. and with the most precious salves his 

nnds, and with nae linen cloths wiped off the blood ; 
i him to a rich rep: shed 

wit:. 

present, who inquired of his c : 

the banquet was ovei\ he 
: ' - I :;.":: it knighthood, and put 

the 

e sat n- and 

lolled him to 

the moi 

- 1 with her radiant beams the 
antain to] q Sabra repaired to the Eng 

chciL :. and pre i a dia- 

she prayed him to 
wear on 

the treacherous black king of Morocco, having a bowl 
of Greek wine in his hand, which he offered to 
noble champion St George of 1 ; but when he 

stretched forth his arm to accept the same ? the dia- 



AL3IID0R ATTEMPTS TO POISON ST GEORGE. 17 

mond, which the fair Sabra had made him a present 
of, waxed pale, and from his nose fell three drops of 
blood, which the king's daughter observing, suspected 
some secret poison to be infused in the wine ; where- 
upon she shrieked out so loudly, and so suddenly, that 
it alarmed the whole court, and carried her suspicions 
to the ears of her father; but so great was bis love 
for the black king, that he would not give credit to 
any thing which could be suggested against him. 

Thus was Almidor a second time prevented in his 
evil designs, which made him more enraged 'than a 
chased boar; yet, resolving the third attempt should pay 
for all, he impatiently expected another opportunity to 
put his fiendish purposes in execution. 

St George remained many days at the Egyptian 
court, sometimes revelling among the gentlemen, danc- 
ing and sporting among the ladies, at other times in 
tilts, tournaments, and other noble and heroic exer- 
cises ; and all that time was the breast of the beauteous 
Sabra inflamed with the most ardent love for him, of 
which the treacherous Almidor had intelligence from 
many secret sources, and many times his own ears 
were witnesses to their meetings. One evening in 
particular, after sunset, it was his fortune to winder 
near a garden wall to taste the cooling air, where the 
two lovers, without seeing him. were seated in a bower 
of jessamine, and after much talk, he heard the love- 
Sabra thus complain: — 

" My soul's delight, my noble George of England, 
dearer than all the world beside, why art thou more 
obdurate than the flint, since all my falling tears can 
never mollify thy heart? Not all the sighs, the many 

c 



IS MEETING OF ST GEORGE AXD SABRA. 

thousand sighs, I have sent as messengers of my true 

lore, were ever yet requited with a smile. Refuse not 
her, my dear-loved lord of England, refuse not her. 
that, for thy sake, would leave her parents, country, 
and inheritance, although that inheritance be the 
crown of Egypt, and would follow thee as a pilgrim 
through the wide world. The sun shall sooner lose 
his splendour, the pale moon drop from her orb, the 
sea forget to ebb and flow, and all things change the 
course ordained by nature, than Sabra, heiress of 
Egypt, prove inconstant to St George of England J 
let then, the priests of Hymen knit that gordian knot, 
the knot of wedlock, which death alone has power to 
untie/' 

These words so fired the champion's heart, that he 
who before had never given way to any passion but the 
love of arras, was almost entangled in the snares of 
love. Yet, to try her patience a little more, he made 
her this answer ; 

"Lady of Egypt, art thou not content that I have 
risked my own life to preserve yours, but you would 
have me also sacrifice my honour, give over the chase 
of dazzling glory, lay all my warlike trophies in a 
woman's lap, and change my truncheon for a distafT. — 
^o! Sabra; George of England is a knight, born in a 
country where true chivalry is nourished, and hath 
sworn to see the world, as far as the lamp of heaven 
can lend him light, before he is fettered in the chains 
of wedlock. Therefore, think no more of one that is a 
stranger, a wanderer from place to place, but cast your 
eyes on one more worthy your own high rank. Why 
do vou decline the suit of Almidor, who is a king, and 



B&TROTHAL OF ST GEORGE AND SABRA. 10 

would think no task too arduous to obtain your 
love ?" 

At which words, she instantly replied : 

*' The fell king of Morocco is more blood-minded 
than a serpent, but thou as gentle as a lamb; his tongue 
more ominous than the screeching night owl, but thine 
sweeter than the morning lark; his touch more odious 
than the biting snake, but thine more pleasant than the 
curling vine. What if thou art a stranger to our land, 
thou ait more precious to my heart, and more delight- 
ful to my eyes, than crowns and diadems." 

•• But stay," replied the English champion: "I am 
a Christian, madam ; thou a Pagan. I honour God in 
heaven ; you, a vile impostor here below. Therefore, 
if you would obtain my love, you must forsake your 
Mohammed, and be baptized into the Christian faith/' 
k - With all my soul," replied the Egyptian lady; ,C I 
will forsake my country's gods, and for thy love become 
a Christian." And thereupon she broke a ring, and 
gave him one half as a pledge of her love, and kept 
the other half herself; and so, for that time went out 
of the garden. 

The treacherous Almidor, who had listened during 
all this discourse, was galled to the very heart to hear 
how much his mistress despised him and his proffered 
love : but was now resolved to strike a bold stroke 
with the king her father, to separate her from his toe 
successful rival; and, accordingly, hastened away to 
the Egyptian king, and, prostrating himself before him, 
declared that he had overheard a deep-concerted plan 
of treason, laid between his daughter and the English 
knight; that she had given him a solemn pledge of 



20 ST GEORGE TREACHEROUSLY SENT TO PERSIA. 

love, and with that pledge a promise to forsake the 
faith of Egypt, set the great prophet at defiance, and 
embrace the Christian doctrine. 

"Now, by our holy prophet," replied the king, 
" this hated Christian shall not reap the harvest of our 
daughter's love, for he shall lose his head, though not 
in our court, where we have heaped such honours on him. 
But, Almidor, be secret, and I will acquaint you with 
my purpose : I will send him to my kinsman, the Sol- 
dan of Persia ; from whom he shall never more return 
to Egypt, except his ghost bring tidings of his fate in 
that country." And to answer this purpose they 
contrived between them the following letter : 

' To the Soldan of Persia, 
* I, Ptolemy, king of Egypt, and the eastern territories, send 
greeting to thee, the mighty Soldan of Persia, great emperor of 
the provinces of the larger Asia. I make this my request,trusting 
to the league of friendship "between us, that thou put the bearer 
hereof, thy slave, to death ; for he is an utter enemy to all Asia 
and Africa, and a proud contemner of our religion. Therefore 
fail not hereof, as thou tenderest our mutual friendship. So we 
bid thee, farewell. 

1 Thy kinsman, 

4 Ptolemy, King of Egypt.' 

As soon as this letter was signed and sealed with the 
great seal of Egypt, St George was sent in embassy 
with the bloody sentence of his own destruction ; and 
was sworn, by the honour of knighthood, to deliver it 
safe ; leaving behind him, as a pledge of his fidelity, 
his good steed, and trusty sword Ascalon, in .the 
keeping of Ptolemy, taking with him only one of the 
king's horses, for his easy travelling. 



ST GEORGE SLAUGHTERS THE PERSIAN KNIGHTS. 21 

On the day that St George reached the Soldan's 
court, there was a solemn procession in honour of the 
false prophet Mohammed, with which the English 
champion was so moved, that he tore down their 
ensigns and streamers, and trampled them under his 
feet : upon which the infidels presently fled to the Sol- 
dan for succour, and showed him how a strange knight 
had despised their prophet, and trod their banners in 
the dust. Whereupon he sent a hundred of his armed 
knights to know the cause of that sudden uproar, and 
to bring the Christian champion bound into his pre- 
sence ; but he entertained these Persian knights with 
such a bloody banquet, that most of their heads were 
tumbled in the dirty streets, and the channels over- 
flowed with streams of their blood; the pavement 
before the palace was almost covered with slaughtered 
men, and the walls were besprinkled with purple gore. 
At last the alarm-bell was rung, and the beacons set 
on fire ; upon which the populace rose in arms, and 
came flocking about the English champion, like swarms 
of bees ; whereat, through his long fatigue, and the 
multitude of his enemies, his undaunted courage was 
forced to yield, and his resistless arm, wearied with the 
fight, constrained to let his weapon fall to the ground. 
And thus he, whose valour had sent thousands to 
wander on the banks of Acheron, stood now obedient 
to the mercy of his enemies, who, with their brandished 
weapons and sharp-edged falchions, environed him 
about. 

"Now, bloody-minded monster," said the Soldan, 
"what countryman soe'er thou art, Jew, Pagan, or 
misbelieving Christian, look for a sentence of severe 



22 st george's interview with the soldan. 

punishment for every drop of blood thy unhappy hand 
hath here shed ; first, thy skin shall be flayed from off 
thy flesh alive; next, thy flesh shall be torn with 
red-hot pincers from thy bones : and lastly, thy limbs 
parted from each other by wild horses/' This bloody 
sentence being pronounced by the Soldan, St George 
answered in the following manner : 

"Great potentate of Asia, I crave the liberty and law 
of arms, whereby all the kings of the earth are by oath 
for ever bound. First, in my native country, my descent 
is of royal blood, and therefore I challenge a combat ; 
secondly, I am an ambassador from the mighty Ptolemy, 
king of Egypt ; therefore is my person sacred : lastly, 
the laws of Asia, and indeed of all nations, grant me 
a safe conduct back; and Ptolemy is answerable for 
every thing I have done." 

Thereupon he delivered the letter, sealed with the 
great seal of Egypt, which was no sooner broken open 
and read, than the Soldan's eyes sparkled with fire, 
and upon his brow sat the image of wrath and indigna- 
tion. 

" By the report of Ptolemy," said the Soldan, " thou 
art a great contemner of our holy prophet, and his 
laws ; therefore his pleasure is, that you be put to 
death; which, I swear by Mohammed, shall be 
fulfilled." 

Upon this he gave him over to the safe custody of a 
hundred of his guards, till the time of execution, which 
was ordered to be in thirty days. Hereupon they dis- 
robed him of his rich apparel, and clothed him in base 
and servile weeds ; his arms, that were lately employed 
in supporting the mighty target, and wielding the 



ST GEORGE S ADVENTURE WiTII THE LIONS. 23 

weighty battle-axe, were now strongly fettered with 
iron bolts ; and those hands which were wont to be 
garnished with steel gauntlets, they bound with hempen 
cords, till the purple blood started from his fingers' 
ends; and being thus despoiled of all knightly dignity, 
he was conveyed to a dark dungeon where the light of 
heaven was never seen, nor could the glorious sun send 
one gladdening ray to show a difference betwixt day 
and night. All his comfort was to reckon up the 
number of Persians he had slain ; sometimes his rest- 
less thoughts were pondering on ungrateful Ptolemy, and 
sometimes running on the charms of lovely Sabra, 
distracted with reflecting how she had borne his 
sudden departure. 

Thus Sorrow was his companion, and Despair his 
chief solicitor, till Hyperion's golden car had rested 
thirty times in the purple palace of Thetis ; which was 
the precise time allotted by the Soldan of Persia for 
him to live ; so expecting every minute the wished-for 
messenger of death, he heard afar off the terrible roar- 
ing of two lions, which for the space of four days had 
been restrained from food and natural sustenance, that 
with the more eagerness and fury they might satiate 
their hunger with the body of the thriced-renowned 
English champion. The cry of these lions so ter- 
rified his mind, that the hair of his head grew stiff ; on 
his brow were large drops of sweat, and in his soul 
arose such fire and rage, that with violence he broke his 
chains asunder, then rent his amber coloured hair from 
his head, with which he wrapped his arms, preparing 
for the assault of the lions, which he imagined were 
designed to be the executioners of the Soldan's sentence 



24 DREAD OF THE SOLDAN. 

against him, as indeed they were; and at that instant 
the guards, who brought them, let them out of the 
dungeon upon him. But such was his invincible forti- 
tude, and so careful was he in his defence, that when 
the starved lions came running on him with open jaws, 
he courageously thrust his sinewy arms, which w r ere 
covered with the hair of his head, into their throats, 
whereby they were presently choked, and he then pulled 
out their hearts. 

Which spectacle the Soldan's guards beholding, were 
so amazed with fear, that they ran in all haste to the 
palace to acquaint the Soldan with what had happened, 
who thereupon commanded every part of the court to be 
guarded with armed soldiers, supposing the English 
knight rather some monster, from the infernal regions, 
than one of the human species. And such terror 
seized the Soldan, when he heard that he had killed the 
two lions, after having slaughtered two thousand 
Persians with his own hands ; and being likewise 
informed of his having destroyed the burning dragon 
of Ej_ypt, that he caused the dungeon wherein he was 
kept, to be doubly fortified with iron bars, lest, by 
force or stratagem, the champion should recover his 
liberty, and thereby endanger the whole kingdom of 
Persia. Here, for the term of seven winters, he re- 
mained in the greatest want and distress, feeding upon 
rats, and mice, and creeping w T orms, which he caught 
in the dungeon ; nor tasting, in that whole time, any 
bread but what was made of bran, and drinking only 
channel water, which was daily served him through the 
iron gates. Here we will now leave St George, 
languishing under want and oppression, and return to 



DESPAIR OF SABRA. 25 

Egypt, where we left Sabra, the champion's betrothed 
lady, lamenting the absence of him whom she loved 
dearer than all the world besides. 

Sabra was the fairest virgin that ever eye beheld. 
In her nature had shown the utmost perfection ; her 
body was straighter than the stately cedar, and the 
tincture of her skin surpassed the beauty of the Paphian 
queen ; but one was bending with her weight of woes, 
and the other tarnished with the brackish tears that 
daily trickled down her cheeks, whereon sat the image 
of discontent, and she herself seemed a mirror of patient 
sorrow. All company was loathsome to her sight ; 
she shunned even the fellowship of those ladies who 
were once her most intimate companions, and betook 
herself to a solitary chamber, where, with her needle, 
she amused the time ; and having wrought the figures 
of many a bleeding heart, she bathed them with the 
tears that fell from her eyes ; then, with her auburn 
locks that hung in wanton ringlets down her neck, she 
dried them up ; and thinking on the plighted promises 
of her dearly-loved knight, fell into these sad complain- 
ings : 

"0 Love!" said she, "more sharp than keenest 
razors, with what inequality dost thou torment my 
wounded heart, not linking my dear lord's in like 
affection with it. Venus! whom both gods and men 
obey, if thou art absolute in thy power, command my 
wandering lord to return, or let my soul be wafted to 
his sweet bosom, where my bleeding heart already is 
enshrined. But, foolish fondling that I am ! he hath 
rejected me, and even shuns my father's court, where 
he was honoured and esteemed, to wander through the 



2G ST GEORGE APPEARS TO SABRA. 

world to seek another love. No, no, it cannot be ; he 
is more constant, his mind more noble than to forget 
his plighted vows ; and much I fear some treachery 
has bereft me of him, some stony prison keeps him from 
me, for only chains and fetters could thus long with- 
hold him from me. If so, sweet Morpheus, god of 
golden dreams, reveal to me my love's abode, show me 
in sleep the shadow of his lovely form, give me to know 
the reason of his sudden departure, and of his long 
and painful absence." 

After this exclamation, she closed her radiant eyes 
in sleep, when presently the very image, as she thought, 
of her dearly-loved knight, St George, appeared ; not 
as he was wont, in shining arms, and with his burgonet 
of glittering steel, nor mounted on his stately steed, 
decked with a crimson plume of spangled feathers, but 
in worn-out and simple attire, with pale looks and 
emaciated body, like a ghost just risen from the silent 
grave, breathing, as it were, the following sad and 
woful expressions : 

Sabra, I am betrayed for love of thee, 

And lodged in cave as dark as night ; 
From whence I never more, ah woe is me! 
Shall have the pleasure of thy beauteous sight: 
Hemain thou true and constant for my sake, 
That of my absence none may 'vantage make. 

Let tyrants know, if ever I obtain 

What now is lost by treason's faithless guile, 
False Egypt's scourge I ever will remain, 
And turn to streaming blood Morocco's soil. 
That hateful prince of Barbary shall rue 
The fell revenge that is his treason's due. 

The Persian towers shall smoke with fire, 
And lofty Babylon be tumbled down; 



DISTRACTION OP SABRA, 27 

The cross of Christendom shall then aspire 
To wear the proud Egyptian triple crown. 
Jerusalem and Judah shall behold 
The fall of kings by Christian champions bold. 

Thou maid of Egypt, still continue chaste, 
A tiger seeks thy virgin's name to spoil ; 
Whilst George of England is in prison placed. 
Thou shalt be forced to wed against thy will ; 
But after this shall happen mighty things, 
For from thy self shall spring three wondrous kings. 

This strange and woful speech was no sooner ended, 
but she awakened from her sleep, and presently stretched 
out her arms, thinking to embrace him, but met with 
nothing but empty air, which caused her to renew her 
former complaints. 

" Oh ! wherefore died I not in this my troublesome 
dream," said the sorrowful lady, u that my ghost 
might have haunted those inhuman monsters who have 
thus betrayed the bravest champion that the eye of 
heaven, or the sons of earth, have ever beheld 1 For 
his sake will I exclaim against the ingratitude of 
Egypt, and fill every corner of the land with echoes 
of his wrongs. My woes are greater, and by far 
exceed the sorrows of Dido, queen of Carthage, 
mourning for J3neas." 

At last, her father, understanding what ardent affec- 
tion she bore to the English champion, spoke to her 
in this manner : 

"Daughter, I charge thee, on the obedience and 
duty which thou owest to me, both as thy father and 
thy king, to banish from thy thoughts all fond affection 
for the wandering knight whom thou hast unworthily 
made the object of thy love, for he hath neither 



28 SABRA FORCED TO MARRY ALM1DOR. 

home nor habitation. Thou seest he has forsaken 
thee, and in his travels is wedded to another. There- 
fore, as you value my love, or dread my displeasure, 
I charge thee again to think no more of him ; but cast 
your eyes on the black king of Morocco, who is deserv- 
ing of thee, and whose nuptials with thee I intend to 
celebrate in Egypt shortly, with all the honours due to 
my own and his high rank." 

Having said these words, he departed, without 
waiting for an answer ; by which fair Sabra knew he was 
not to be thwarted in his will. Therefore she poured 
forth these sad words : 

" unkind father ! to cross the affection of thy 
child, and thus force love where there is no liking; 
yet shall my mind continue true to my dearly-loved lord; 
although I be forced to obey, and marry Almidor, yet 
shall English George alone possess my heart. 

Which words were no sooner ended, than Almidor 
entered her chamber, and presented her with a wed- 
ding-garment, which was of the purest Median silk, 
embossed with pearls and glittering gold, and per- 
fumed with Syrian powders ; it was of the colour of 
the lily, when Flora has bedecked the fields in May 
with nature's ornaments; glorious and costly were 
her vestures, and so stately were the nuptial rites 
solemnized, that Egypt admired the grandeur of her 
wedding, which for seven days was held in the court 
of Ptolemy, and afterwards at Tripoli, the chief city 
of Barbary, where Almidor's reluctant bride was 
crowned queen of Morocco; at which coronation the' 
conduits ran with Greek wine, and the streets of 
Tripoli were beautified with pageants and delightful 




St. Denis of "France. 



ST DENIS OF FRANCE. 29 

shows. The court resounded with melodious harmony, 
as though Apollo with his silver harp had descended 
from the heavens; such tilts and tournaments were 
performed betwixt the Egyptian knights and the 
knights of Barbary, that they exceeded the nuptials 
of Hecuba, the beautuous queen of Troy. These 
revellers we leave for this time to their own enjoy- 
ments, some masking, some dancing, some singing, 
some tilting, some banquetting. We also leave the 
champion of England, St George, mourning in his 
horrible dungeon in Persia, and return to the 
other six champions of Christendom, who departed 
from the brazen pillar, every one his several way, whose 
knightly and noble adventures, if the Muses grant me 
their assistance, I will most amply detail, to the 
honour of Christendom. 



CHAPTER III. 



St Denis, the champion of France, lives seven year in the shape of a hart; 
and proud Eglantine, the king of Thessaly's daughter, is transformed 
into a mulberry tree; they recover their former shapes by means of 
St Denis s horse, and travel to the Thessalian court. 

AVe now call to mind the long and weary travels of 
St Denis, the worthy champion of France, after his 
departure from the other six champions at the brazen 
pillar, as you heard in the beginning of the former 
chapter, from which he wandered through many a deso- 
late grove and wilderness, without any adventure worth 
noting, till he arrived upon the borders of Thessaly, 
(at that time a land inhabited only bj wild beasts ;) 
wherein he endured such a scarcity of victuals, that he 



80 TRANSFORMATION OF ST DEXIS. 

was forced, for the space of seren years, to feed upon 
the herbs of the field, and the fruits of trees, till the 
hairs of his head were like eagles' feathers, and the 
nails of his fingers like birds' claws ; his drink, the dew 
of heaven, which he licked from the flowers of the field ; 
his attire, the bay leaves and broad docks that grew 
in the wood; his shoes, in which he travelled through 
many a thorny brake, the bark of trees. But at last, 
it was his fortune, or cruel destiny, (being overprest 
with the extremity of hunger), to taste and feed upon 
the berries of an enchanted mulberry tree, whereby he 
lost the lively form and image of his human substance, 
and was transformed into the shape and likeness of a 
wild hart : which strange and sudden transformation, 
this noble champion little suspected, till he espied his 
misshapen form in a clear fountain, which nature had 
made in a cool and shady valley ; but when he beheld 
the shadow of his deformed body, and how his head, 
lately honoured with a burgonet of steel, was now dis- 
graced with a pair of sylvan horns ; his countenance, 
which was the index of his noble mind, now covered 
with the likeness of a brute : and his body, which was 
erect, tall, smooth, and fair, now bending to earth on 
four feet, and clothed in a rough hairy hide of a dusky 
brown colour ; having his reason still left, he ran again 
to the mulberry-tree, supposing the berries he had 
eaten to be the cause of his transformation, and there 
laying himself upon the ground, he thus began to 
complain : 

"What magic charms, or what bewitching spells,*' 
said he, "are contained in this cursed tree, whose 
deceitful fruit hath confounded my future fortunes, 



FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ST DENIS. 31 

and reduced me to this miserable condition ? O thou 
celestial Ruler of the world ! O merciful power of 
heaven! look down with pity on my hapless state; 
incline thine ears to listen to my woes ; I, who was a man 
am now an horned beast ; a soldier, once my country's 
champion, now a timorous deer, the prey of dogs; 
my glittering armour changed into a hairy hide, and 
my brave array, now vile as common earth ; henceforth, 
instead of princely palaces, these shady woods must 
be my sole retreat, wherein my bed of down must be a 
heap of sun-dried moss; my sweet music, blustering winds, 
that with tempestuous gusts make the whole wilderness 
tremble; the company lam obliged henceforth to keep, 
must be the Sylvan Satyrs, Priads, and airy Nymphs, 
who never appear to human eyes, but at twilight or 
the midnight moon ; the stars that beautify the crystal 
vault and wide expanse of heaven, shall hereafter 
serve as torches to light me to my woful bed ; scowling 
clouds shall be my canopy ; and my clock, to give me 
notice how the time runs stealing on, the dismal sounds 
of hissing snakes or croaking toads ! " 

Thus during many days this champion of France con- 
tinued in the shape of a hart, in greater misery than 
the unfortunate English champion in Persia, not know- 
ing how to recover his former shape and human sub- 
stance. But one day, as he lamented the loss of his 
natural form, under the branches of that enchanted 
mulberry-tree, which was the cause of his transforma- 
tion, he heard a most grievous and terrible groan, upon 
which, suspending his sorrows for a time, he heard a 
hollow voice breathe from the trunk of the tree the fol- 
lowing words : 



32 

C -. 

Witi an; 

In former time it was my fatal chance 

I ; "be the pr : . was kno- 

I - ifi the danr 
Though now - 5ss tree, and senseless thir -, 

My pride was such :':.?.: he"-. .' :i : .- — 

A _ Ides a my own conceit I w i a 

. : ". . : \z'i:. -.::': :.se I :i: .:rh: :: "- ;. 
1 .: deemed myself all others to snrpa- ; 

- .: 
food of fc : me I counted meet. 

My pride despised the finest bread of wheat, 

A::- i v.:rv :: : i 1 i. :'.- s :~z'l: :; z:::l! 
Refined gold was boiTd, and formed my meat, 
Such self-conceit my senses all did blind; 

m human substance to this senseles s tree- 
Seven years i n shape of hart thou most remain, 
.-- "..".: rathe purple r<: — Heaven's lecree, 
Shall bring thee to thy former shape again, 
And end at last thy woful misery 
When this is i one, be sure you cut in twain 
_ fatal tree wherein I do remain. 

After he had heard these so much 

taxed at the strangeness thereof, that for some 

- >ments he was deprived of speech; and the thoughts 

his - Tinned punishment bereaved him of his 

understanding; but at I :. ; ". recovering h . he 

bitterly complained of his misfortunes. 

mature," s id the distressed cham- 
u more rogne in her transforma- 

tion, and than i n, whose perfect 

picture I am made! BGs misery continued but a short 
time ; for his own dogs, the same day, tore him into 



FAITHFULNESS OF ST DENIS'S STEED. 33 

a thousand pieces, and buried his transformed carcass 
in their hungry bowels ; but mine is appointed by the 
angry destinies, till seven times the summer's sun shall 
yearly replenish its radiant brightness, and seven times 
the winter's rain shall wash me with the showers of 
heaven." 

Such w r ere the complaints of the transformed knight 
of France, sometimes remembering his former fortunes, 
how he had spent his days in the honour of his country; 
at other times thinking upon the place of his nativity, 
renowned France, the nurse and mother of his youth ; 
and again treading with his foot (for hands he had 
none) in sandy ground, the print of the words which 
he had heard from the mulberry-tree, and often time^ 
numbering the minutes of his tedious punishment. 
But during the whole term of his seven years' misery, his 
trusty steed never once forsook him, but with all love 
and diligence attended on him day and night, never 
straying from his side; and if extreme heat in summer, 
or pinching cold in winter, grew troublesome to him, 
his horse would shelter and defend him. 

At last, after the term of seven years had fully 
expired, when be was to recover his former substance 
and human shape, his good horse, which he regarded 
as the apple of his eye, clambered a high and steep 
mountain, which nature had beautified with all kinds of 
fragrant flowers, as odoriferous as the gardens of the 
Hesperides; from whence he pulled a branch of purple 
roses and brought it betwixt his teeth to his 
distressed master, still lying in the same disorder and 
discontent, under the mulberry-tree. The champion 
of France no sooner beheld this, than he remembered 

D 



34 RETRANSFORMATION OF ST DENIS. 

that by a purple rose he should recover his former 
shape, and so joyfully received the roses from his 
trusty steed ; then casting his eyes up to heaven, he 
conveyed these consecrated flowers into his empty 
stomach. 

After which he lay down upon the bosom of his 
mother earth, where he fell into such a sound sleep, 
that all his senses and vital spirits ceased to perform 
their usual offices for the space of four-and-twenty 
hours, in which time the windows and doors of heaven 
were opened, from whence descended such a shower of 
rain, that it washed away his hairy coat and beast-like 
shape ; his horned head and long visage were turned 
again into a lively countenance ; and all the rest 
of his members, arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, 
with all the rest of nature's gifts, received their former 
shape. 

But when the good champion awakened from his 
sleep, and perceived the wonderful goodness of heaven, 
in transforming him to his human likeness, he first gave 
honour to Almighty God ; next, blessed the ground 
whereon he had lived so long in misery ; then behold- 
ing his armour, which lay near him, quite stained, and 
almost spoiled with rust ; his burgonet and keen-edged 
sword besmeared over with dust ; and lastly, ponder- 
ing in his mind the faithful service his trusty steed had 
done him, during the time of his calamity, whose sable- 
coloured mane hung frizzling down his brawny neck, 
which before was wont to be platted curiously with 
artificial knots, and his forehead, which was always 
beautified with a tawny plume of feathers, now dis- 
figured with overgrown hair, the good champion, St 



ST DENIS LIBERATES EGLANTINE. 35 

Denis of France, was so grieved, that he stroked down. 
his jetty back till the hair of his body lay as smooth as 
Arabian silk ; he then pulled out his trusty falchion, 
which in so many fierce assaults, and dangerous com- 
bats, had been bathed in the blood of his enemies, 
but by the long continuance of time lying idle, was 
now almost consumed with cankered rust, and by 
great labour and industry, he recovered its former 
beauty and brightness. 

Thus both his sword and horse, his martial furniture, 
and all other habiliments of war, being brought to 
their first and proper condition, the noble champion 
resolved to pursue his intended adventure in cutting 
down the mulberry-tree ; so taking his sword, which 
was of the purest Spanish steel, he made such a stroke 
at the root thereof, that at one blow he cut it quite 
asunder, from whence immediately flashed such a 
mighty flame of fire, that the mane was burnt from 
his horse's neck, and even the hair of his own head 
would have been fired had not his helmet preserved it. 
No sooner was the flame extinguished, but there as- 
cended from the hollow tree a virgin, (in shape like 
Daphne, whom Apollo turned into a bay- tree,) fairer 
than Pygmalion's ivory image, or the northern snow ; 
her eyes more clear than the icy mountains, her cheeks 
like roses dipped in milk, her lips more lovely than 
Turkish rubies, her alabaster teeth like Indian pearls, 
her neck seemed an ivory tower ; the rest of nature's 
lineaments a stain to Juno, Pallas, or Yenus : at whose 
excellent beauty, this valiant and undaunted champion 
was more astonished than at her wonderful transfor- 
mation ; for his eyes were ravished with such exceeding 



Ob EGLANTINE RECOUNTS HER HISTORY. 

pleasure, that his tongue could remain no longer silent, 
but was forced to unfold the secrets of his heart, and 
in these terms he began to utter his mind : 

" Thou most divine and singular ornament of 
nature!" said he, "fairer than the feathers of the 
sylvan swan that swims upon Meander's crystal streams, 
and far more beautiful than Aurora's morning counte- 
nance, to thee, the fairest of thy sex, most humbly, 
and only to thy beauty, do I here submit my affections. 
Also I swear, by the honour of my knighthood, and 
by the love of my country of France, whether thou 
art an angel descended from heaven, or a fury ascended 
from the vast dominions of Proserpine ; whether thou 
art some fairy or sylvan nymph, which inhabits this 
fatal wood, or else an earthly creature, for thy sins 
transformed into this mulberry-tree ; I cannot judge. 
Therefore, sweet saint, to whom my heart must pay 
its due devotion, unfold to me thy birth, parentage, 
and name, that I may the bolder presume upon thy 
courtesies." At which demand, this new-born virgin, 
with a shame-faced look, modest gesture, sober grase, 
and blushing countenance, began thus to reply : 

" Sir knight, by whom my life, my love, and fortunes 
are to be commanded, and by whom my human shape 
and natural form are recovered ; first know, that I am 
by birth the king of Thessaly's daughter, and my 
name was called for my beauty, proud Eglantine ; for 
which contemptuous pride, I was transformed into this 
mulberry-tree, in which green substance I have con- 
tinued fourteen years. As for my love, thou hast 
deserved it before all knights in the world, and to thee 
do I plight that true promise before the Omnipotent 



ST DENIS DEPARTS WITH EGLANTINE. 37 

Judge of all things. And before that sacred promise 
shall be infringed, the sun shall cease to shine by day, 
the moon by night, and all the planets forsake their 
natural order/* 

At which words the champion gave her the courtesies 
of his country, and sealed her promises with a loving 
kiss. 

After which, the beautiful Eglantine weaved herself a 
garment of green rushes, intermixed with such variety 
of flowers, that it surpassed, in workmanship, the 
Indian maidens' curious webs; her curling locks of 
hair continued still of the colour of the mulberry-tree, 
and made her appear like Flora in her greatest royalty, 
when the fields are decked with nature's tapestry. 

Thus, in green vestments, she is ready, in company 
of her true love, the valiant knight of France, to take 
her journey to her father's court ; where, after some 
few days' travel, they arrived safe, and were wel- 
comed according to their wishes, with the most hon- 
ourable entertainments. The king of Thessaly no 
sooner beheld his daughter, of whose strange transfor- 
mation he was ignorant, than he fell into a swoon 
through exceeding joy, but coming to his senses, he 
embraced her, and proffered such courtesy to the 
strange knight, that St Denis accounted him the mirror 
of chivalry, and the pattern of true nobility. 

After the champion was unarmed, his stiff and 
wearied limbs were bathed in new milk and white wine, 
he was conveyed to a sweet- smelling fire made of 
jumper, and the fair Eglantine conducted by the 
maidens of honour to a private chamber, where she 
was disrobed of her Sylvan attire, and apparelled in 



38 ST JAMES OF SPAIN. 

long robes of purple silk. In this court of Thessaly 
we will leave our champion of France with his lady, 
and go forward to discourse of the other champions, 
relating what adventures happened to them during 
the seven years. 



CHAPTER IV. 

How St James, the champion of Spain, continued seven years dumb for the 
love of a fair Jewess, and how he would have been shot to death by the 
maidens of Jerusalem ; with other things which happened in his travels. 

Now must my muse speak of St James of Spain, the 
third champion, and what happened unto him in his 
seven years' travels through many a strange country by 
sea and land, where his honourable acts were so dan- 
gerous and wonderful, that I want skill to express, 
and art to describe them. Also I am forced to pass over 
his dangerous battle with the burning drake upon the 
flaming mount in Sicily, which terrible combat con- 
tinued for the space of seven days and seven nights. 
Likewise I omit his travels in Cappadocia, through a 
wilderness of monsters ; his passage over the Red J3ea, 
where his ship was devoured with worms, his mariners 
drowned, and himself, his horse, and furniture, safely 
brought to land by the sea-nymphs and mermaids; 
until after long travel, perils, and dangerous tem- 
pests, among the stormy billows of the raging seas, he 
arrived in the unhappy dominions of Judah ; unhappy 
by reason of the long and troublesome misery he endured 
for the love of a fair Jewess. For coming to the 
beautiful city of Jerusalem, (being in that age the 



ST JAMES ARRIVES AT JERUSALEM. 39 

wonder of the world, for grand buildings, princely 
palaces, and wonderful temples,) he so admired its 
glorious situation, that he stood before the lofty walls, 
one while gazing upon her golden gates, glittering in the 
sun j another while beholding her stately pinnacles, 
whose lofty tops seemed to touch the clouds ; another 
while wondering at her towers of jasper, jet, and ebony, 
her strong and fortified walls, glittering spires of the 
temple of Sion, the ancient monument of Greece, whose 
battlements were covered with steel, the walls burnished 
with silver, the ground paved with tin. Thus, as this 
noble and famous knight stood beholding the situation 
of Jerusalem, there suddenly thundered such a peal of 
ordnance within the city, that it seemed, in his ravished 
conceit, to shake the veil of heaven, and to move the 
deep foundations of the solid earth; whereat his 
horse gave such a sudden start, that he leaped ten 
feet from the place whereon he stood. After this, he 
heard the sound of drums, and the cheerful echoes of 
brazen trumpets, by which the valiant champion ex- 
pected some honourable pastime or some great tour- 
nament to be at hand ; which indeed so fell out ; for 
no ^>oner did he cast his eyes towards the east side of 
the city, than he beheld a troop of well-appointed 
horse come marching through the gates ; after them 
twelve armed knights mounted on twelve warlike cours- 
ers, bearing in their hands twelve blood-red streamers, 
whereon was wrought in silk the picture of Adonis, 
wounded by a boar ; after them, the king, drawn in a 
chariot by Spanish mares. The kings guards were a 
hundred Moors, with Turkish bows and darts, feathered 
with ravens' wings; after them came Celestine, the 



40 PROCLAMATION OF KING NEBUZARADAN. 

king of Jerusalem's fair daughter, mounted on a tame 
unicorn. In her hand a javelin of silver, and armed 
with a breast-plate of gold, artificially wrought like 
the scales of a porcupine ; her guard was one hundred 
Amazonian dames ciadiu green silk ; afterthem followed 
a number of esquires and gentlemen, some upon Bar- 
bary steeds, some upon Arabian palfreys, and some on 
foot, in pace more nimble than the tripping deer, 
and more swift than the tamest hart upon the mountains 
of Thessaly. 

Thus Xebuzaradan. the great king of Jerusalem, (for 
so he was called.) solemnly hunted in the wilderness of 
Judah, a country very much overrun with wild 
beasts, as the lion, the leopard, the boar, and such like; 
in which exercise the king appointed, as it was pro- 
claimed by his chief herald at arms, that whosoever slew 
the first wild beast in the forest should have in reward 
a corselet of steel, so richly engraven that it should be 
worth a thousand shekels of silver. Of which honour- 
able enterprise when the champion had understanding, 
and with what liberal bounty the adventurous knight 
w r ouldbe rewarded, his heart was fraught with invincible 
courage, thirsting after glorious attempts, not only for 
' hope of gain, but for the desire of honour, at which his 
illustrious and undaunted mind aimed, to immortalise 
his deeds in the memorable records of fame, and to shine 
as a crystal mirror to all ensuing times. So closing 
down his beaver, and locking on his furniture, he 
scoured the plains before the hunters of Jerusalem, 
in pace more swift than the winged winds, till he 
approached an old unfrequented forest, wherein he 
espied a huge and mighty wild boar, lying before his 



ST JAMES SLAYS A HUGE BOAR. 4l 

mossy den, gnawing the mangled joints of some pas- 
senger whom he had murdered as he travelled through 
the forest. 

This boar was of wonderful length and size, and so 
terrible to behold, that at first sight he almost daunted 
the courage of the Spanish knight : for his monstrous 
head seemed ugly and deformed, his eyes sparkled like 
a fiery furnace, his tusks more sharp than pikes of steel, 
and from his nostrils fumed such a violent breath, that 
it seemed like a tempestuous whirlwind ; his bristles 
were harder than seven times solid brass, and his tail 
more loathsome than a wreath of snakes. When St 
James approached this huge beast, and beheld how he 
drank the blood of human creatures and devoured 
their flesh, he blew his silver horn, which hung at the 
pommel of his saddle by a scarf of green silk ; whereat 
the furious monster turned himself, and most fiercely 
assailed the noble champion, who very nimbly leaped 
from his horse, and with his spear struck such a violent 
blow upon the breast of the boar, that it shivered into 
twenty pieces ; then drawing his falchion from his side, 
he made a second encounter, but all in vain, for he 
struck as it were upon a rock of stone, or a pillar of 
iron, not hurting the boar ; when at last, with staring 
eyes and open jaws, the greedy monster assailed the 
champion, intending to swallow him alive, the 
nimble knight trusted more to policy than fortitude, 
and so skipped from place to place, till on a sudden he 
thrust his keen-edged battle-axe down the monster's 
throat, and split his heart asunder. Which being ac- 
complished, he cut off the head, and so presented the 
issue of the combat to the king of Jerusalem, who, 



42 ST JAMES CONDEMNED TO DIE. 

with his mighty train of knights, had now entered the 
forest. Having graciously received the gift, and 
bountifully fulfilled his promises, he demanded the 
champion's country, his religion, and place of his 
nativity. But no sooner had he intelligence that he 
was a Christian knight, and born in the territories of 
Spain, than his kindness changed to a great fury, and 
in these words he expressed his anger to the Christian 
champion : 

" Knowest thou not, bold knight," said the king of 
Jerusalem, u that it is the law of Judah to harbour no 
uncircumcised man, but either to banish him out of the 
land, or end his days by some untimely death ? Thou 
art a Christian, and therefore shalt die : not all thy 
country's treasures, the wealthy Spanish mines, nor if 
the Alps, which divide the countries of Italy and Spain, 
were turned to hills of burnished gold, and made my 
lawful heritage, could redeem thy life. Yet for the 
honour thou has done in Judah I grant thee this favour 
by the law of arms, to choose thy death, else hadst 
thou suffered most grievous torment." This severe 
judgment so amazed the champion, that, in desperation, 
he would have killed himself by his own sword, but that 
he thought it more honour to his country to die in the 
defence of Christendom. So, like a truly noble knight, 
fearing not the threats of the Jews, he gave the sentence 
of his own death. First, he requested to be bound to 
a pine-tree, with his breast laid open naked against the 
sun ; then to have an hour's respite to make his sup- 
plication to his Creator ; and afterwards to be shot to 
death by a fair virgin. 

Which words were no sooner pronounced, than they 



celestine's PITY FOR ST JAMES. 43 

disarmed him, bound him to a pine-tree, and laid his 
breast open, ready to receive the bloody stroke of some 
unrelenting maiden : but such pity, meekness, mercy, 
and kind lenity lodged in the heart of every maiden, 
that none would take in hand, or be the bloody execu- 
tioner of so brave a knight. At last the tyrannous 
Nebuzaradan gave strict commandment, upon pain of 
death, that lots should be cast among the maids of 
Judah that were there present, and she on whom the 
lot fell should be the executioner of the condemned 
Christian. But by chance the lot fell to Celestine, 
the king's daughter, being the fairest maid then living 
in Jerusalem, in whose heart no such deed of cruelty 
could be harboured. Instead of death's fatal instru- 
ment, she shot towards his breast a deeply-drawn sigh, 
the true messenger of love, and afterwards to heaven 
she thus made her humble supplication : 

" Thou great Commander of celestial moving powers, 
convert the cruel motions of my father's mind into a 
spring of pitiful tears, that they may wash away the 
blood of this innocent knight from the habitation of his 
stained purple soul. Judah and Jerusalem, within 
whose bosoms live a wilderness of tigers, more cruel 
than the hungry cannibals, and more obdurate than 
untamed lions ! What merciless tigers can unrip that 
breast, where lives the image of true nobility, the very 
pattern of knighthood, and the seal of a noble mind? 
No, no, before my hand shall be stained with Christians' 
blood, I will, like Scylla, against all nature, sell my 
country's safety, or, like Medea, with the golden 
fleece, wander to unknown nations." 

In such manner complained the beauteous Celestine, 



44 CELESTTNE LIBERATES ST J.43IES. 

the king's daughter of Jerusalem, till her sighs stopped 
the passage of her speech, and her tears stained the 
natural beauty of her rosy cheeks ; her hair, which 
glittered like golden wires, she besmeared with dust, 
and disrobed herself of her costly garments ; and then, 
with a train of her Amazonian ladies, went to the king 
her father, where, after a long suit, she not only ob- 
tained our noble champion's life, but liberty ; yet 
therewithal his perpetual banishment from Jerusalem, 
and from all the borders of Judah. So this noble and 
praiseworthy Celestine returned to the Christian cham- 
pion, who expected every minute to be put to death ; 
and after she had sealed two or three kisses upon his 
pale lips, being changed through the fear of death, 
cut the bands that bound his body to the tree into 
many pieces ; and then, with a flood of tears, the 
emotions of true love, she thus revealed her mind : 

'■'Most noble knight, and true champion of Christen- 
dom, thy life and liberty I have gained, but therewith 
thy banishment from Judah, which is a thought of horror 
to my soul ; for in thy bosom have I built my happiness, 
and in thy heart I reckon the paradise of my true 
love ; thy first sight and lovely countenance did enchant 
me; for when these eyes beheld thee mounted on thy 
princely palfrey, my heart burned in affection towards 
thee. Therefore, dear knight, in reward of my love, 
be thou my champion, and for my sake wear this ring, 
with this poesy engraven in it, Ardeo affectione" And 
so giving him a ring from her finger, together with 
a kiss from her mouth, she departed with a sorrowful 
sigh, in company of her father and the rest of his 
honourable train, back to the city of Jerusalem, being 



ST JAMES ENTERS JERUSALEM. 45 

then near sunset. But now St James, having escaped 
the danger of death, and at full liberty to depart, 
fell into many cogitations, one time thinking upon the 
true love of Celestine, (whose name as yet he was 
ignorant of,) another time upon the cruelty of her father; 
then resolving to depart into his own country, but 
looking back to the towers of Jerusalem, his mind 
suddenly altered, for thither he made up his mind to go, 
hoping to have sight of his lady and mistress, and 
to live in some disguised form in her presence, and be 
his love's true champion against all comers. So 
gathering certain black berries from the trees, he 
coloured his body all over like a Blackmoor ; and con- 
sidering that his country's speech would betray him, 
determined likewise to continue dumb all the time of his 
residence in Jerusalem. 

So, all things settled according to his desire, he took 
his journey to the city, where with signs he declared 
his intent, which was, to be entertained in the court, and 
to spend his time in the service of the king. When 
the king beheld his countenance, which seemed of the 
natural colour of the Moor, he little thought that he 
was the Christian champion, whom before he greatly 
envied, but accounted him one of the bravest Indian 
knights that ever his eye beheld ; therefore he conferred 
on him the honour of knighthood, and appointed him 
to be one of his guard, and likewise his daughter's 
sole champion. Now when St James saw himself 
invested in this honourable place, his soul was ravished 
with such exceeding joy, that he thought no pleasure 
comparable to his, no Elysium but the court of Jeru- 
salem, and no goddess but his beloved Celestine. 



46 GRAND MASQUE AT THE COURT. 

He long continued dumb, casting forth many a 
loving sigh in the presence of his lady and mistress, 
not knowing how to reveal the secrets of his mind. 

Sometime after, there arrived in the court of Nebuz- 
aradan, the king of Arabia, with the admiral of Babylon, 
both presuming upon the love of Celestine, and craving 
her in marriage ; but she excluded all notions of love 
from her chaste mind, only building her thoughts upon 
the Spanish knight, whom she supposed to be in his own 
country. 

Her importunate suitors, the king of Arabia, and 
the admiral of Babylon, marvelled at her melancholy ; 
and therefore intended upon an evening to present her 
with some rare devised masque. So choosing out fit 
consorts for their courtly pastimes, of which number 
the king of Arabia was chief and first leader of the 
train, the great admiral of Babylon was the second, 
and her own champion, St James, called by the name 
of the " Dumb Knight," was the third. In this man- 
ner the masque was performed : 

First, a most excellent concert of music; after which 
the aforesaid masquers, in cloth of gold most curiously 
embroidered, danced about the hall ; at the conclusion 
the king of Arabia presented Celestine with a costly 
sword, on the hilt whereof hung a silver glove, and 
upon the point was placed a golden crown. Then the 
music sounded another course, of which the admiral of 
Babylon was leader, who presented her with a vesture 
of pure silk, of the colour of the rainbow, brought in 
by Diana, Yenus, and Juno. Which being done, the 
music sounded the third time; in which course, St 
James, though unknown, was the leader of the dance, 



ST JAMES ESCAPES WITH CELESTINE. 47 

and, at the end thereof, presented Celestine with a 
garland of sweet flowers, which was brought in by 
three Graces, and put upon her head. Afterwards 
the Christian champion, intending to discover himself 
unto his lady and mistress, took her by the hand, and 
led her to a stately Morisco dance, which was no 
sooner finished than he offered her the diamond ring 
which she gave him at his departure in the woods; 
this she presently knew by the poesy, and shortly 
after discovered his dumbness, his counterfeit colour, 
his changing of nature, and the great danger he put 
himself to for her sake ; which caused her, with all the 
speed she could possibly make, to retire into a chamber 
which she had by, where the same evening she had a long 
conference with her faithful lover and adventurous 
champion. To conclude, they made an agreement 
betwixt them, and the same night, unknown to any in the 
court, she bade Jerusalem adieu, and by the light of 
Cynthia's glittering beams, stole from her father's 
palace, where, in the sweet company of St James, she 
tcfok her journey towards the country of Spain. But 
this noble knight by policy prevented all likely 
danger, for he shod his horse backwards, whereby, 
when they were missed in the court, they might be 
followed the contrary way. 

By this means the two lovers escaped from the fury 
of the Jews, and arrived safely in Spain, in the city of 
Seville, wherein the brave champion, St James, was 
born ; where we now leave them for a time to their 
own contented minds. Also passing over the disturb- 
ances in Jerusalem for the loss of Celestine, the vain 
pursuits of adventurous knights, the preparing of fresh 



48 ST ANTHONY OF ITALY. 

horses to follow them, the frantic passion of the king 
for his daughter, the melancholy grief of the admiral 
of Babylon for his mistress, and the woful lamentation 
of the Arabian king for his lady and love, we will 
return to the adventures of the other Christian cham- 
pions. 



CHAPTER Y. 

The terrible battle between St Anthony, the champion of Italy, and the giant 
Blanderon; and afrenvards of his strange entertainment in the giant's 
castle by a Thracian lady, and what happened to him in the same 
castle. 

It was at the time of the year when the earth was 
newly decked with her summer's livery, that the noble 
champion, St Anthony of Italy, arrived in Thracia, 
where he spent his seven years' travel to the honour oi 
his country, the glory of God, and to his own lasting 
renown. For after he had wandered through woods 
and wildernesses, by hills and dales, by caves and dens, 
and through unknown passages, he arrived at last upon 
the top of a high mountain, whereon stood a wonderfully 
strong castle, which was kept by the most mighty giant- 
under the cope of heaven, whose puissant force all 
Thrace could not overcome, nor even attempt to with- 
stand. The giant's name was Blanderon, his castle 
of the purest marble, with gates of brass ; and 
over the principal gate were graven the verses 
following : 

Within this castle lives the scourge of kings, 
A furious giant whose unconquer'd power 

The Thracian monarch in subjection brings. 
And keeps his daughters pris*ners in his tower 



ST ANTHONY'S INTERVIEW WITH BLANDERON. 49 

Seven damsels fair this monstrous giant keeps, 
Who sing him music while he nightly sleeps. 

His oars of steel a thousand knights have felt, 

Who for these virgins' sake have lost their lives; 
For all the champions bold that with him dealt, 
This most inhuman giant still survives; 
Let simple passengers take heed betime, 
When up this mountain they intend to climb. 

But knights of worth, and men of noble mind, 

If any chance to travel by this tower, 
That for these maidens' sake will be so kind 
To try their strength against the giant's power, 
Shall have a virgin's prayer both day and night, 
To prosper them with good successful fight. 

After he had read this, desire of fame so encouraged 
him, and the thirst of honour so emboldened his valiant 
mind, that he vowed either to redeem these ladies from 
their servitude, or die with honour by the fury of the 
giant. So going to the castle gate, he struck so 
vehemently thereon with the pommel of his sword, that 
it sounded like a thunderclap. Whereat Blanderon 
suddenly started up, having been fast asleep by a fountain 
side, and came pacing forth of the gate, with an oak 
tree upon his neck, which, at the sight of the Italian 
champion, he flourished about his head, as though it- 
had been a little battle-axe, and with these words, 
addressed the noble champion: 

" What fury hath incensed thy overboldened mind, 
thus to venture thy feeble force against the violence 
of my strong arm ? I tell thee, hadst thou the strength 
of Hercules, who bore the mountain Atlas on his 
shoulders, or the policy of Ulysses, by which the city 
of Troy was ruined, or the might of Xerxes, whose 

E 



50 st akthoxy's combat with blanderon. 

multitudes drank up the rivers as they passed ; 
yet all were too feeble, weak, and impotent to encounter 
the mighty giant Blanderon; thy strength I esteem 
as a puff of wind, and thy strokes as a few drops of 
water. Therefore betake thee to thy weapon, which 
I compare to a bulrush, for on this ground will I 
measure out thy grave, and after that, with one of 
my hands, will hurl thy feeble palfrey headlong down 
this steep mountain." 

Thus boasted the vain-glorious giant about his own 
strength. During which time the valiant champion 
had alighted from his horse, when, after he had made 
his humble supplication to heaven for good fortune, 
he approached within the giant's reach, who with his 
great oak dealt toward him such vehement blows, 
that they seemed to shake the earth, and to rattle 
against the wall of the castle like thunder-claps ; and 
had not the knight continually skipped from the fury 
of his blows he had soon been killed, for every stroke 
the giant gave, the root of his oak entered at the least 
two or three inches into the ground. But it was the 
wisdom and policy of the worthy champion not to 
expend the force of his weapon till the giant grew 
breathless, and unable, through his long labour, to lift 
the oak above his head. Shortly the heat of the sun 
became so intolerable, that the sweat from the giant's 
brows ran into his eyes, and by reason he was so ex- 
tremely fat, he grew so blind, that he could not see to 
combat any longer, and would have retired or run 
back again into his castle, but that the Italian cham- 
pion with a bold courage assailed him so fiercely, that 
he was forced to let his oak fall, and stand gasping 



ST AOTHONT SLAYS BLANDERON. 51 

for breath ; which when this noble knight beheld, with 
fresh ardour, he redoubled his blows so courageously, 
that they fell on the giant's armour like a storm of 
winter's hail, whereby at last Blanderon was compelled 
to ask the champion's mercy, and to crave at his 
hands some respite of breathing ; but his demand was 
in vain, for the valiant knight saw that now or never 
was the time to obtain the honour of the day, and 
therefore rested not his weary arm, but redoubled 
blow after blow, till the giant, for want of breath, and 
through the anguish of his wounds, was forced to 
bid the world farewell, and to yield the riches of his 
castle to the most renowned conqueror, St Anthony, 
the champion of Italy. But by the time the long and 
dangerous encounter was finished, and the giant Blan- 
deron's head was severed from his body, the sun had 
mounted to the highest part of the heavens, which 
caused the day to be so extremely hot and sultry, that 
the champion's armour scalded him so much that he 
was constrained to unbrace his corslet, to lay aside his 
burgonet, and to cast his body upon the cold earth, to 
mitigate his extreme heat. But such was the un- 
natural coolness of the earth, that its vapours struck 
presently to his heart, by which his vital air was ex- 
cluded, and his body lay exposed, without sense or 
moving, at the mercy of pale death, for the space of 
an hour. 

At which time, fair Rosalinde (one of the daughters 
of the Thracian king, a prisoner in the castle) by 
chance looked over the walls, and espied the headless 
body of the giant, under whose subjection she had 
continued, in great anxiety, for the time of seven 



EOSALTS'DE sue tOURS 

ycar^. aai 7 hint a knight narrated a? she thcugbr. 
] a.n:i: g :■:: breath. wh;m hae y.idaei to be the kni_l: 
re. sola tae giant. ; .:;. . the man . ^: 

Lberty si ra 1:1 l:e ::::v:::'; .she presently cesoeniled 
the walls of the castle, and ran with all speed to the 
aeiventttrons clean:! ea. whom sir eland te ah an e <ear- 
ar.ee rend. Bat bring met his 2 -- 

covery. feeling as ye: warm bh : : in eve: 7 mem"; er. she 
returned wkh ah speed to the castle, and fetched a 
hex ct preeirns balm, which "he giea; 
pour into his wounds a::er bis naaee : 
knight. With which baina tie eomrteotts lady mail . 
every par: cf :hr breathless caaiLpion's bedy; one 
time washing his stiff limbs with her salt tears, which 
fell line pearls irona her eyes; another t:_nr 1 
thena with tresses of ner a; lien hair, which nana 
dangling in the wind: then marlrg his 1: Less 
again with a balm of a different nature ; bnt jet no 
siam : f nte en an; se.e ; e: in tne kniimt. whtch eaaseel 

Living, neern. and kin 5 1; la : mnire.'keg he had lest 



in death, and w: 


tii her own hands to finish her lays, a 


ii 


die upon his bit 


east, as Thaisbr died ay. en the breast 


c ~ 


art trar Pyrana 


is. Tnere.lre. at tl e a 


A- 




h. so this sorrowful ,al; : 1. a;: 


:a 


tnis dirge ever 


the body 0: the noble champion: 




M'i^e=. c ::"iie 


mourn with doleful melody, 




Km :1 ?e -~ :: ' r - 


1 nymphs, that sit in rosy bowers, 




With brackisl 


. iz2.:s c-:a_ r rais j::v: a ._:__•: :.;■"■ 




To waii wit 


h me 1 minutes, days, and hours; 




A ::,-'a 


S2 .:. iVa_ ^:.y.-.:'^z a::.:.:::I. 





; :h: i:: v Lt«:: :-."■'•"-: h t-tic-rt I die. 



ST AXTHONY RECOVERS. Dd 

Dead is the kuigkt for whom I live and die, 
Dead is the knight who for my sake is slain ; 

Dead is the knight for whom my careful cry, 
With wounded soul, for ever shall complain. 
A heavy, sad, and swan like song sing 1, a 2. 

I'll lay my breast upon a silver stream, 

And swim in Elysium's lily fields; 
There, in ambrosia trees, I'll write a theme 

Of all the woful sighs my sorrow yields. 
A heavy, sad, and swan-like song sing I, etc. 

She had no sooner ended than she unsheathed the 
champion's sword, which was besprinkled with the 
giant's blood, and being on the very point of executing 
her intended tragedy, with the sharp-edged weapon 
directly against her breast, she heard the distressed 
knight give a terrible groan ; whereat she stopped her 
hand, and with more discretion regarded her own safety. 
For by this time the balm wherewith she anointed his 
body, by wonderful operation, recovered the champion, 
insomuch that, after some few gasps and sighs, he 
raised up his stiff limbs from the cold earth, where, 
like one cast into a trance, for a time he gazed up and 
down the mountain, until at last, having recovered his 
senses, he espied the Thracian damsel standing by, 
unable to speak one word, her joy so abounded. After 
some time he revealed to her the manner of his 
dangerous encounter and successful victory ; and she 
the cause of his recovery, and her intended tragedy. 
Whereupon, after many kind salutations, she courteously 
took him by the hand, and led him into the castle, 
where for that night she lodged his weary limbs on an 
easy bed stuffed with turtle-feathers and softest thistle- 
down. 



54 R0SAL1NDE SHOWS THE CASTLE. 

The noble-minded knight slept soundly after his 
dangerous battle till golden Phoebus bade him good- 
morrow. Then rising from his bed, he attired him- 
self, not iu his wonted habiliments of war, but in 
purple garments, intending to inspect the rarities 
of the castle : but the lady Rosalinde was busied in 
preparing his repast, and when he had refreshed 
himself with a dainty banquet, he, by her advice, 
stripped the giant Blanderon of his iron furniture, 
and left his naked body upon a craggy rock, to 
be devoured by hungry ravens ; after which the 
Thracian virgin discovered all the castle to the 
adventurous champion. First she led him to a leaden 
tower, where hung a hundred well-approved corslets, 
with other martial furniture, which were the spoils of 
such knights as had been violently slain. After that, 
she brought him to a stable, wherein stood a hundred 
pampered steeds, which daily fed upon human flesh ; 
against it was placed the giant's own lodging ; his bed 
was of iron, corded with mighty bars of steel; the tester, 
or covering, of carved brass ; and the curtains were 
of leaves of gold. After this, she led him to a broad 
pond of water, more clear than quicksilver, whereon 
swam six milk-white swans, with crowns of gold about 
their necks. 

" here,' 5 said the Thracian lady, " begins the 
depth of all my grief! " At which words a shower of 
tears ran from her eyes, that for a time stayed the 
passage of her tongue. But having relieved her 
heart by a few sorrowful sighs, she began in this 
manner to tell her misfortunes : 

" These six milk-white swans, most honourable 




St. Anthony of Italy. 



rosaltnde's story. 55 

knight, you behold swimming in the river," said the 
lady Rosalinde, " are my sisters, both by birth and 
blood, and all daughters to the king of Thrace, 
governor of this unhappy country ; and the beginning 
of our imprisonment began in this unfortunate man- 
ner : 

" The king, my father, ordained a solemn hunting 
to be held through the land, in which honourable pas- 
time myself, in company of my six sisters, was present. 
So in the middle of our sports, when the lords and 
barons of Thracia were in chase after a mighty lioness, 
the heavens suddenly began to lour, the firmament 
overcast, and a general darkness overspread the face 
of the whole earth : then presently arose such a storm 
of lightning and thunder, as though heaven and earth 
had met together ; by which our lordly troops of 
knights and barons were separated from one another, 
and we poor ladies forced to seek for shelter at the 
bottom of this high mountain: where when the cruel 
giant Blander on espied us, as he walked upon his 
battlements, he suddenly descended the mountain, and 
fetched us all under his arm up into the castle, where 
ever since we have lived in great slavery; and, for 
my six sisters, he turned their comely bodies into the 
shape of milk-white swans, in the same form as here 
you see them swimming, but kept me ever since to lull 
him to sleep with sweet inspiring music. 

" Thus have you heard, most noble knight, the true 
account of my most unhappy fortunes, and the won- 
derful transformation of my six sisters, whose loss to 
this day is greatly lamented throughout all Thracia." 
And with these words she made an end of her tragical 



56 ST ANTHONY COMFORTS ROSALINDE. 

history, unable to utter the rest for weeping. 
Whereat the knight, being oppressed with the like 
sorrow, embraced her, and thus kindly began to com- 
fort her : 

" Most dear and kind lady, upon whose counten- 
ance I see how virtue is enthroned, and in w r hose mind 
lives true magnanimity, let these words suffice to com- 
fort thy sorroAvful thoughts. First, think that the 
heavens are most beneficent unto thee in preserving 
thee from the giant's insatiate rage ; secondly, for thy 
delivery by my means from his slavish servitude ; 
thirdly and lastly, that thou, remaining in thy natural 
shape and likeness, may live to be the means of thy 
sisters' transformation; therefore dry up those crystal- 
pearled tears, and bid thy long continued sorrows 
adieu, for grief is companion with despair, and despair 
a forerunner of infamous death." 

Thus the woful Thracian lady was comforted by 
the noble Christian champion: when, after a few kind 
greetings, they concluded to travel to her father's court, 
there to relate what happened to her sisters in the 
castle, likewise the giant's confusion, and her own safe 
delivery, by the illustrious prowess of the Christian 
knight. So, taking the keys of the castle, which were 
of a wonderful weight, they locked up the gates, and 
paced hand in hand down the steep mountain till they 
approached the Thracian court, which was distant, 
from the castle about ten miles : but by the time they 
had a sight of the palace the night approached, which 
discontented the weary travellers ; when at last, coming 
to her father's gates, they heard a solemn sound of 
bells ringing the funeral knell of some noble party. 



GRIEF OF ROSALINDE's FATHER. 57 

The cause of which they demanded of the porter, 
who in this manner expressed the truth of the matter 
to them : 

"Fair lady and most renowned knight," said the 
porter, "for so you seem, both by your speech and 
honourable presence, the cause of this ringing is for 
the loss of the king's seven daughters, the number of 
which bells are seven, called after the names of the seven 
princesses, which never yet have ceased their doleful 
melody, since the departure of the unhappy ladies, nor 
ever will until news be heard of their safe return." 

" Then now their task is ended," said the noble- 
minded Rosalinde, " for we bring news of the seven 
princesses' abode." At which words the porter, being 
ravished with joy, in all haste ran to the steeple, and 
caused the bells to cease; whereat the king of Thracia, 
hearing the bells cease their wonted sound, suddenly* 
started up from his princely seat, and like a man amazed 
ran to the palace-gate, where he found his daughter 
Rosalinde in company of a strange knight. Which, 
when he beheld, his joy was so excessive, that he swooned 
on his daughter's bosom; but having recovered his 
former senses, he brought them into his princely hall, 
where their entertainment was so honourable in the 
eyes of the whole court, that it were too tedious to de- 
scribe: but their joy was presently damped by Rosa- 
linde's tragical discourse ; for the good old king, when 
he heard of his daughters' transformation, and how 
they lived in the shape of milk-white swans, rent his 
locks of silver hair, which time had dyed with the 
pledge of wisdom ; tore his rich embroidered garments 
in many pieces, and clad his aged limbs in a dismal 



58 st antiioxy bids farewell. 

black sable mantle; he also commanded that his 
knights and adventurous champions, instead of glitter- 
ing armour, should wear the weeds of death, more 
black in hue than winter's darkest nights ; and all the 
courtly ladies and gallant Thracian maidens, instead 
of silken vestments, he constrained to wear both heavy, 
sad, and melancholy ornaments, and even, as unto a 
solemn funeral, to attend him to the giant's castle, and 
there obsequiously to offer up unto the angry Destinies 
many a bitter sigh and tear in remembrance of his 
transformed daughters ; which decree of the sorrowful 
Thracian king was performed with all convenient speed: 
and the next morning, no sooner had Phoebus cast his 
beauty into the king's bed-chamber, than he apparelled 
himself in mourning garments, and in company of his 
melancholy train set forward on his woful pilgrimage. 
But here we must not forget the champion of Italy, 
nor the noble-minded Rosalinde, who. at the king's 
departure towards the castle, craved leave to stay be- 
hind, and not so suddenly begin new travels ; where* 
unto the king consented, considering their late jour- 
ney the evening before. So taking the castle-keys 
from the champion, he bade his palace adieu and com- 
mitted his fortune to his sorrowful journey; where we 
leave him in a world of discontented passion, and awhile 
discourse of what happened to the Christian champion 
and his beloved lady. After staying some time in the 
palace, he took Eosalinde, then weeping for loss of 
her father, by the hand, and in this manner intimated 
his intended departure : 

"My most devoted lady and mistress," said the 
champion, " a second Dido for thy love, a rival to Venus 



ROSALINDE'S LOVE FOR ST ANTHONY. 59 

for thy beauty, and Penelope's equal for constancy, 
the faithful love that hitherto I have found since my 
arrival shall be for ever shrined in my heart, and be- 
fore all ladies under the cope of heaven thou shalt live 
and die my love's true goddess ; and for thy sake I'll 
stand as champion against all knights in the world; 
but to impair the honour of my knighthood, and to live 
like a carpet-dancer in the lap of ladies, I will not : 
though I can tune a lute in a prince's chamber, I can 
sound a fierce alarm in the field. Honour calls me 
forth, dear Rosalinde, and Fame intends to buckle on 
my armour, which now lies rusting in the idle courts 
of Thrace. Therefore I am constrained (though most 
unwillingly) to leave the comfortable sight of thy 
beauty, and commit my fortune to a longer travel : 
but I protest, wheresoever I come, or in whatever 
region I be harboured, there will I maintain, to the 
loss of my life, that both thy love, constancy, and 
beauty, surpasseth all dames alive; and with this 
promise, my most divine Rosalinde, I bid thee fare- 
well." But before the honourable-minded champion 
could finish what he proposed to utter, the lady, being 
wounded inwardly with extreme grief, was unable to 
keep silent any longer, but, with the tears falling from 
her eyes, interrupted his speech in this manner : 

"Sir knight," said she, "by whom my liberty hath 
been obtained, the name of lady and mistress, where- 
with you entitle me, is too proud a name for me ; 
but rather call me handmaid, for on thy noble person 
will I evermore attend. It is not Thrace can harbour 
me when thou art absent ; and before I would forsake 
thy company and kind fellowship, heaven shall be no 



GO ST AKTHOMT AND ROSAUNDE LEAVE TOGETHER. 

heaven, the sea no sea, the earth no earth ; but if thou 
shouldest prove inconstant, these tender hands shall 
never be unclasped, but hang on thy horse's bridle, till 
my body, like Theseus's son, be dashed asunder against 
hard flinty stones : therefore forsake me not, dear 
knight of Christendom. If ever Camina proved true 
to her Smatus, or Alstone to her lover, Rosalinde will 
be as true to thee." So with this plighted promise 
she caught him fast about the neck, from which she 
would not unloose her hands till he had vowed, by the 
honour of true chivalry, to make her the sole com- 
panion and partner of his travels. 

This being agreed to, she was trimly attired like 
a page in green sarcenet, her hair bound up most 
cunningly with a silk list, artificially wrought with 
curious knots, that she might travel without suspicion 
or blemish of honour; her rapier was a Turkish blade, 
• and her poniard of the finest fashion, which she wore 
at 'her back, tied with an orange tawny-coloured scarf, 
beautified with tassels of silk; her buskins of the 
smoothest kid-skins, her spurs of the purest Lydian 
steel. But to be brief, all things being in readiupss 
for their departure, this worthy knight mounted on his 
eager steed, and Rosalinde on her gentle palfrey, in 
pace more easy than the winged winds, or a beat 
floating upon a crystal stream, both bade adieu to 
the country of Thracia, and committed their journey 
to the queen of chance : therefore smile heavens, and 
guide them with a most happy star, until they arrive 
where their souls do most desire. The bravest and, 
boldest knight that ever wandered by the way, and 
the loveliest lady that ever eve beheld. 



ST ANDREW OF SCOTLAND. 61 

Here my muse must leave them for a season, 
and speak of the Thracian mourners^ who by this 
time had watered the earth, with abundance of their 
tears, and made the elements true witnesses of their 
sad lamentations, as hereafter related in the next 
chapter. 



CHAPTER VI. 



How St Andrew, the champion of Scotland, travelled into a vale of walking 
spirits ; and how he was set at liberty by a moving fire. Of his journey 
into Thracia, where he restored the six ladies to their natural shapes, 
that had lived seven years in the likeness of milk-white swans; with 
other accidents that befell this most noble champion. 

Now of the honourable adventures of St Andrew, the 
famous champion of Scotland, must I discourse, whose 
seven years' travels were as strange as any of the other 
champions. For after he had departed from the 
brazen pillar, as you heard in the beginning of this 
history, he travelled through many strange and un- 
known nations, beyond the circuit of the sun, where 
but one time in the year he shows his bright beams, 
continual darkness overspreading the whole country, 
and there lives a kind of people that have heads like 
clogs, that in extremity of hunger do devour one an- 
other, from which people this noble champion was 
strangely delivered ; for, after he had wandered cer- 
tain days, neither seeing the gladsome brightness of 
the sun, nor the comfortable countenance of the moon, 
but only guided by the planets, he happened to come 
to a vale of walking spirits, which he supposed to be 



02 DELIVERANCE OF ST ANDREW. 

the very dungeon of burning Acheron ; there he heard 
the blowing of unseen fires, boiling of furnaces, rattling 
of armour, trampling of horses, jingling of chains, lum- 
bering of iron, roaring of spirits, and such-like horrid 
noises, that it made the Scottish champion almost at 
his wit's end. But yet. having an undaunted courage, 
unalloyed by fear, he humbly made his supplication to 
heaven, that God would deliver him from that place of 
terror ; and so presently, as the champion kneeled down 
upon the barren ground, (whereon grew neither herb, 
flower, grass, nor any other green thing-) he beheld a 
certain flame of fire moving up and down before him. 
on which he stood for a time, uncertain whether it were 
best to go forward or to stand still; but remembering 
himself how he had read in former times of a moving 
fire, called Ignis Fatuus, the fire of destiny ; by some, 
••Will o' the Wisp," or " Jack with the Lantern f 
and likewise, by some simple country people, "The Fair 
Maid of Ireland," which commonly used to lead wan- 
dering travellers out of their way ; the like imagina- 
tion entered into the champion's mind. So encourag- 
ing himself with his own conceit, and cheering up his 
dull senses, lately oppressed with extreme fear, he 
directly followed the moving fire, which so justly went 
before him, that by the time the guider of the night 
had climbed twelve degrees in the zodiac, he was by 
its means safely delivered from the vale of walking 
spirits. 

Xow began the sun to dance about the firmament, 
which St Andrew had not seen for months before, 
whereat his senses much rejoiced, being covered be- 
fore with darkness, and every step he trod was as plea- 



ST ANDREW REACHES BLANDERON's CASTLE. 63 

surable as though he walked in a garden bedecked 
with all kinds of fragrant flowers. 

At last, without further molestation, he arrived 
within the territories of Thracia, a country, as you 
have heard in the former chapter, adorned with the 
beauty of many fair woods and forests, through which 
he travelled with little rest, and less sleep, till he came 
to the foot of the mountain, whereupon stood the 
castle wherein the woful king of Thrace, in company 
of his sorrowful subjects, still lamented the unhappy 
destinies of his six daughters, turned into swans, hav- 
ing crowns of gold about their necks. "When the 
valiant champion St Andrew beheld the lofty situation 
of the castle, and the invincible strength it seemed to 
possess, he expected some strange adventure to befall 
him, so preparing his sword, and buckling close his 
armour, which, for lightness in travel, was a shirt of 
silver mail, he climbed the mountain, on which he 
espied the giant lying upon a craggy rock, with his 
limbs and members all rent and torn by the fury of 
hunger-starved fowls; which loathsome spectacle was 
no little wonder to the worthy champion, considering 
the mighty stature and bigness of the giant. Where- 
upon leaving his putrified body to the winds, he ap- 
proached the gates; and, after he had read the super- 
scription over the same, entered the castle without 
any interruption, expecting a fierce encounter with 
some knight that should have defended the same; 
but all things fell out contrary to his imagination; 
for after he had noticed many a strange novelty 
and hidden secret, he chanced at last to come where 
the Thracians were observing their ceremonious mourn- 



C4 CONTINUED MOURNING OF THE THRACIANS. 

ings, which were daily performed in this order: first, 
upon Sundays, which in that country is the first day in 
the week, all the Thracians attired themselves after the 
manner of Bacchus's priests, and "burned perfumed in- 
cense, with sweet Arabian frankincense, upon a reli- 
gious shrine, which they offered to the Sun as chief 
governor of that day, thinking thereby to appease the 
angry Destinies, and to recover the unhappy ladies to 
their former shapes; upon Mondays, clad in garments 
after the manner of Sylvans, a colour like the waves 
of the sea, they offered up their tears to the Moon, 
being the guicler and mistress of that day; upon Tues- 
days, like soldiers, trailing their banners in the dust, 
and drums sounding sad and doleful melody, in sign of 
discontent, they dedicated their proceedings to the 
worship of Mars, being ruler and guider of that day; 
upon Wednesdays, like scholars, unto Mercury; upon 
Thursdays, in like manner, with sweet-sounding music, 
to Apollo ; upon Fridays, like lovers, to Yenus ; and 
upon Saturdays, like manual professors, to the angry 
and discontented Saturn. 

Thus the woful Thracian king, and his sorrowful 
subjects, consumed seven months, at one time accus- 
ing Fortune of cruelty, at another the Heavens of 
injustice; the one for his children's transformation, 
the other for their long-continued punishment. But at 
last, when the Scottish champion heard the bitter 
moansthe Thracians made aboutthe river, he demanded 
the cause, and why they observed such ceremonies, 
contemning the majesty of Jehovah, and only worship- 
ping outward and vain gods. When the king, after 
a few sad tears, strained from his aged eyes, replied in 
this manner: 



THE KING EXPLAINS HIS GRIEF. 65 

" Most noble knight, for so you seem by your ges- 
ture and other outward appearance, if you desire to 
know the cause of our continual grief, prepare your 
ears to hear a tragical and woful tale, whereat methinks 
I see the elements begin to mourn, and cover their 
azure countenance with sable clouds. These milk- 
white swans you see, whose necks are beautified with 
golden crowns, are my six daughters, transformed into 
this swan-like shape by the appointment of the gods; 
for of late this castle was kept by a cruel giaut, named 
Blanderon, who transformed their beautiful bodies to 
these milk-white swans. And now seven times the 
cheerful spring hath renewed the earth with her sum- 
mer^ livery, and seven times the nipping winter frosts 
have bereaved the trees of leaf and bud, since my 
daughters lost their virgin shapes ; seven summers have 
they swam upon this crystal stream. 

"Thus have you heard, most worthy knight, the 
woful tragedy of my daughters, for whose sakes I will 
spend the remnant of my clays about the banks of 
this unhappy river, heavily complaining of their long- 
continued punishment." "Which sad discourse was 
no sooner ended, than the Scottish knight thus re- 
plied, to the comfort and great rejoicing of the com- 
pany : 

"Most noble king," said the champion, "your heavy 
and dolorous narrative hath excited in my heart a won- 
derful passion, and compelled my very soul to rue your 
daughter's miseries ; but yet a greater grief and deeper 
sorrow than that hath taken possession of my breast, 
at the spectacle whereof my eyes have been witnesses, 
and my ears unhappy hearers ; I mean your unchris- 



66 ST ANDREW CHALLENGES THE THRACIAN KNIGHTS. 

tian faith : for I have seen, siuce my first arrival into 
this castle, your profane and vain worship of strange 
and false gods, as of Phoebus, Luna, Mars, Mercury, 
and such-like poetical names, which the majesty of high 
Jehovah utterly contemns. But, magnificent governor 
of Thracia, if you seek to recover your daughters by 
humble prayer, and to obtain your soul's content by 
true tears, you must abandon all such vain ceremonies, 
and with true humility believe in the Christian's God, 
who is the God of wonders, and chief commander of 
1 the rolling elements, in whose quarrel this unconquered 
arm and this undaunted heart of mine shall fight : and 
now, be it known to thee, great king of Thrace, that I 
am a Christian champion, by birth a knight of Scot- 
land, bearing my country's arms upon my breast, (for 
indeed thereon he bore a silver cross, set in blue silk;) 
and therefore, in the honour of Christendom, I challenge 
forth the proudest knight at arms, against whom I will 
maintain that our God is the true God, and the rest 
fantastical and vain ceremonies." 

This sudden and unexpected challenge so daunted 
the Thracian champions, that they stood amazed for a 
time, gazing upon one another, like men dropped from 
the clouds : but at last, consulting together how the 
challenge of the strange knight was to the dishonour of 
their country, and utter scandal of all knightly dignity, 
they with a general consent craved leave of the king 
that the challenge might be taken, who willingly con- 
descended to what they demanded. 

So, by the king's command, time and place were 
appointed, viz., the next morning, upon a large and 
smooth meadow close by the river side, whereon the six 




St. Andrew of Scotland. 



THE COMBAT. 6/ 

swans were swimming ; whereupon, after the Christian 
champion had cast down his gauntlet, and the Thracian 
knights accepted thereof, every one departed for that 
night, the challenger to the east side of the castle to 
his lodging, and the defendants to the west, where they 
slept quietly till the next morning, when, by the break 
of day, they were awakened by the herald at arms. 
But all the night our Scottish champion never enter- 
tained one notion of rest, but busied himself in trimming 
his horse, buckling on his armour, lacing on his bur- 
gonet, and making prayers to the divine majesty of 
God, for conquest and victory, till the morning's 
beauty chased away the darkness of the night; and 
no sooner were the windows of the day fully opened 
than the valiant champion of Christendom entered 
the lists, where the king, in company of the Thra- 
cian lords, was present to behold the combat ; and 
after St Andrew had twice or thrice traced his horse 
up and down the lists, bravely flourishing his lance, at 
the top whereof hung a pendant of gold, with poesy 
thus written in silver letters, " This clay a martyr or 
a conqueror," there entered a knight in exceeding 
bright armour, mounted upon a courser as white as 
the northern snow, whose caparison was of the colour of 
the elements ; and then a fierce encounter ensued, but 
the Thracian had the foil, and with disgrace left the 
list. Then secondly entered another knight in armour, 
varnished with green varnish, his steed of the colour of 
an iron grey ; who likewise was repulsed by the worthy 
Christian. Thirdly entered a knight in a black corslet, 
mounted upon a big-boned palfrey, covered with a 
veil of sable silk ; in his hand he bore a lance nailed 



G8 TREACHERY OF THE THRACIAN KING. 

round about with platos of steel ;*; which knight among 
the Thracians was accounted the strongest in the 
world; but no sooner encouutered these hardy cham- 
pions, than their lances shivered asunder and flew so 
violently into the air, that it much amazed the be- 
holders ; then they alighted from their steeds, and so 
valiantly bestirred them with their keen falchions, 
that the fiery sparks -flew as fiercely from these noble 
champions' steel helmets, as from an iron anvil ; but 
the combat had not endured very long, before the 
hardy Scottish knight espied an advantage wherein he 
might show his matchless fortitude ; whereupon he 
struck such a mighty blow upon the Thraeian'sburgonet, 
that it cleaved his head just down to his shoulders ; 
at which the king suddenly started from his seat, and 
with a wrathful countenance, in this manner threatened 
the champion's death : 

" Proud Christian," said the king, " thou shalt re- 
pent this death, and curse the time that ever thou 
earnest to Thracia : his blood we will revenge upon 
thy head, and punish thy cruelty with a sudden death ;" 
and so, in company of a hundred armed knights, he 
encompassed the Scottish champion, intending by mul- 
titudes to murder him. But when the valiant knight, 
St Andrew, saw how he was oppressed by treachery, 
and environed with mighty troops, he called to Heaven 
for succour, and animated himself by these words of 
encouragement — "Now for the honour of Christendom, 
this day a martyr or a conqueror ;" and then he so 
valiantly behaved himself with Lis battle-axe, that he 
made lanes of murdered men, and felled them down by 
multitudes, as the harvest men mow down ears of 



THE PRINCESSES RECOVER THEIR SHAPE. 69 

ripened corn, whereby they fell before his face like 
leaves from trees, when the summer's pride declines in 
glory. So at last, after much bloodshed, the Thracian 
king was compelled to yield to the Scottish champion's 
mercy, who obliged him, for the safety of his life, to 
foresake his profane religion, and become a Christian, 
whose living true God the Thracian king vowed for 
evermore to worship, and thereupon he kissed the 
champion's sword. 

This conversion of the pagan king so pleased the 
majesty of God, that he presently gave end to his 
daughters' punishment, and turned the ladies to their 
former shapes. When the king beheld their smooth 
feathers, which were as white as lilies, re-changed to 
natural fairness, and their black bills and slender necks 
converted to their first created beauty, he bade adieu 
to his grief and long-continued sorrow, protesting 
ever after to continue a true Christian for the Scottish 
champion's sake, by whose divine orisons his daughters 
obtained their former features. So taking the Chris- 
tian knight, in company of the six ladies, to a rich 
chamber, prepared with all things according to their 
wishes, the champion was unarmed, his wounds washed 
with white wine, new milk, and rose-water, and so, 
after some dainty repast, conveyed to his night's 
repose. The ladies being the joyfullest creatures under 
heaven, never entertained one thought of sleep, but 
passed the night in their father's company, till the 
morning messengers bade them good-morrow. 

Then, all things being prepared, they departed the 
castle in a triumphant manner, marching back to the 
Thracian palace with banners streaming in the wind, 



70 DEPARTURE OF ST ANDREW. 

drums and trumpets sounding joyful melody, and with 
sweet inspiring music causing the air to resound with 
harmony. But no sooner were they entered the palace, 
which was in distance from the giant's castle about ten 
miles, than their triumph turned to exceeding sorrow, 
for Rosalinde, with the champion of Italy, as you have 
heard before, had left the court ; which unexpected 
news so daunted the whole company, but especially the 
king, that the rejoicings for that time were deferred, 
and messengers were despatched in pursuit of the ad- 
venturous Italian and lovely Rosalinde. 

When St Andrew of Scotland had intelligence that 
it was one of those knights who was imprisoned with 
him under the wicked enchantress Kalyb, as you heard 
in the beginning of the history, his heart thirsted for 
his most honourable company, and his eyes seldom 
closed quietly, nor took any rest until he had likewise 
departed in the pursuit of his sworn friend, which he 
did the following night, without making any acquainted 
with his intent. And when the six ladies understood the 
secret departure of the Scottish champion, whom they 
loved dearer than any knight in the world; they stored 
themselves with sufficient treasure, and by stealth left 
their father's palace, intending either to find out the 
victorious and approved knight of Scotland, or to end 
their lives in some foreign region. 

The rumour of their departure no sooner came to 
the king's ears, but he also resolved to travel, either 
to obtain sight of his daughters again, or to make 
his tomb beyond the circuit of the sun: so attiring him- 
self in homely russet like a pilgrim, with an ebon staff 
in his hand, tipped with silver, he took his journey all 



ST PATRICK OF IRELAND. 71 

unknown from his palace. These sudden and secret de- 
partures struck such an intolerable heaviness in the 
court that the palace gates were sealed up with sable 
mourning cloth, the Thracian lords forsook all pleasure, 
but strayed up and down like flocks of sheep without 
shepherds, and ladies and courtly dames sat sighing in 
their private chambers ; where we leave them for the 
present and speak of the success of the other cham- 
pions. 



CHAPTER VII. 



How St Patrick, the champion of Ireland, redeemed the six Thracian ladies 
out of the hands of thirty bloody-minded Satyrs, and of their purposed 
travel in a pursuit after the champion of Scotland. 

But now of that valiant knight at arms, St Patrick, the 
champion of Ireland, must I speak, whose adventurous 
deeds were so nobly performed, that if my pen were 
made of steel, I should wear it out in declaring his 
prowess and worthy adventures. When he departed 
at the brazen pillar, from the other champions, the 
heavens smiled with a kind aspect, and sent him such 
a star to be his guide, that it led him to no courtly 
pleasures, nor to vain delights, but to the throne of 
Fame, where Honour sits installed upon a seat of gold. 
Thither travelled the warlike champion of Ireland, 
whose illustrious battles the northern isles have chroni- 
cled on leaves of brass. Therefore, Ireland, be proud, 
for from thee did spring a champion, whose prowess 
made the enemies of Christ tremble, and watered the 
earth with streams of pagans' blood; the isle of Rhodes, 



V 2 ST PATIUCK LOSES HIMSELF IN THE WOODS. 

the key and strength of Christendom, was recovered 
from the Turks by his martial and invincible prowess; 
and his dangerous battles, fierce encounters, bloody skir- 
mishes, and long assaults, would serve to fill a mighty 
volume; but all these I pass over, and discourse of 
things appertaining to this history. For after the 
wars of Rhodes were fully ended, St Patrick (account- 
ing idle ease the nurse of cowardice) bade Rhodes 
farewell, as it was .then strongly fortified by Christian 
soldiers, and took his journey through many an unknown 
country, when at last it pleased the queen of chance to 
direct his steps to a solitary wilderness, inhabited only 
by wild Satyrs, and a people of inhuman disposition, 
giving their wicked minds only to murder and rapine. 
Here the noble champion travelled up and down many 
a weary step, not knowing how to satisfy his hunger, 
but by killing venison, and after pressing out the blood 
between two fiat stones, roasting it by the sun; his 
lodging v/as in the hollow trunk of a blasted tree, 
Which nightly preserved him from the dropping showers 
of heaven ; his chief companions were the resounding 
echoes, which commonly answered the champion's 
words. 

In this manner lived St Patrick, the Irish knight, in 
the w T oocis, not knowing how to set himself at liberty, 
but wandering up and down, as it were in a maze, 
wrought by the curious workmanship of some excellent 
gardener. It was his chance, at last, to come into a 
dismal shady thicket, beset about with baleful misletoe, 
a place of horror, wherein he heard the cries of some 
distressed ladies, whose bitter lamentations seemed to 
pierce the clouds, and to crave succour at the hands of 



ST PATRICK S CCXMBAT WITH THE SATYRS. 16 

God ; which unexpected cries not a little daunted the 
Irish knight, so that he prepared his weapon for some 
sudden encounter; and crouching himself under the root 
of an old withered oak, he espied afar off a crew of 
bloody-minded Satyrs, hauling, by the hair of the head, 
six unhappy ladies through mauy a thorny brake and 
briar ; which woful spectacle forced such horror into 
the heart of the Irish knight, that he presently rushed 
to the rescue of the ladies, to redeem them from the 
fury of the merciless Satyrs, which were in number 
about thirty, every one having a club upon his neck, 
which they had made of the roots of young oaks and 
pine trees ; yet this adventurous champion, being 
nothing discouraged, with a bold and resolute mind 
let drive at the sturdiest Satyr, whose armour of defence 
was made of a bull's hide, which was dried so hard 
against the sun, that the champion's battle-axe pre- 
vailed not ; after which the fell Satyrs encompassed 
the Christian knight round about, and so mightily 
oppressed him with downright blows, that had he not 
by good fortune leaped under the boughs of a spreading 
tree, he had been forced to give the world a speedy 
farewell. But such was his niinbieness and activity, 
that ere long he sheathed his sharp pointed falchion in 
the breast of one of the Satyrs ; which woful sio;ht caused 
all the rest to fly from his presence, and leave the six 
ladies to the pleasure and disposal of the most noble 
and courageous Christian champion ; who after he had 
sufficiently rested and cooled himself in the chill air, 
(being almost breathless from the long encounter and 
bloody skirmish,) demanded the cause of the ladies' 
travels, and by what means they happened to pass into 



i 1 ST PATRICK C THE LAI 

hands of those merciless Satyrs, who crueh 
tyrannically attempted tt Lm. To 

nteons demand, one of the ladies, af jep- 

fetched sigh, on behalf of herself and the other dh 

ladies, thus replied : 

• ; Know, brave-minded kit: are the unfor- 

tunate daughters of the king of "-h:.r 

have been unhappy ever since ooi 

endured a long imprisonment v .- hands of a cruel 

giant, and afterwards, the heavens, topresc rom 

the wickedness of the giant, ^raasforo otc the 

shape of swans, in which like 

years, but were at last recovered by a \ 

knight, named St Andrew, the champion : red; 

after whom we have travelle m ~ ■ nei 

crossed by any violence, until i 

arrive in this unhappy wilderness, where yc ;: e 

been the witnesses of our misfortu: 

Which discourse was no a the 

worthy champion thus began to c 

ladies : 

- The Christ: ti: 
hand this weary travel," said the Irish chi -is 

my approved friend, for whose company and wished-for 
sight I will go more weary miles than there are trees in 
this vast wilderness ; therefore, most excellent ladi 
true ornaments of beauty, be my companions in 
travels ; for I will never cease till I ha" 
honourable friend, the champion of Scotland, 
of those brave knights, whom I have not seen the- : 
seven summers." 

So after they had refreshed ti .tired 




St. Patrick of Ireland. 



ST DAVID OF WALES. 75 

their wounds, by the secret virtues of certain herbs 
growing in the woods, they took their journey anew, 
under the conduct of this worthy champion, St Patrick ; 
and after some few days' travel, they obtained the 
sight of a broad beaten way, where, committing their 
fortunes to the fatal sisters, and setting their faces 
towards the east, they merrily journeyed together. 
Here we will now leave them, and speak of the seventh 
Christian champion, whose adventurous exploits, and 
knightly honours, deserve a golden pen dipped in ink 
of true fame for their description. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



How St David, the champion of Wales, slew the Count Palatine in the Court 
of Tartary; and, after, how he was sent to the enchanted garden of 
Ormandine, wherein by magic art he slept seven years. 

St David, the most noble champion of Wales, after 
his departure from the brazen pillar, where the other 
champions of Christendom separated to seek their 
foreign adventures, achieved many memorable things, 
as well in Christendom as in those nations that 
. acknowledge no true God; which at present I omit, 
and only relate what happened unto him among the 
Tartars ; for being in the emperor of Tartary's court, 
(a place very much honoured by valiant knights, and 
highly graced by a train of beautiful ladies,) the 
emperor upon a time ordained a solemn joust and 
tournament to be held in honour of his birth-day 
Hither resorted, at the time appointed, from all the 



ST DAVID SLAYS THE COUNT PALATINE. 

borders of Tartary, the best and hardiest knights in 
the country. In this honourable and princely ex- 
ercise, the noble knight St David was appointed cham- 
pion for the emperor, and was mounted upon a Morocco 
steed, richly caparisoned by the curious work of Indian 
women, and upon his shield was set a golden griffin 
rampant in a field of blue. 

Against him came the Count Palatine, son and heir- 
apparent to the emperor, brought in by twelve knights, 
richly furnished with the habiliments of honour, who 
paced three times about the lists before the emperor 
and many ladies that were present to behold the hon- 
ourable tournament; then the twelve knights left the 
lists, and the Count Palatine prepared himself to en- 
counter the Christian knight, (being appointed chief 
champion for the day,) who likewise prepared himself, 
and at the trumpet sound, by the herald's appointment, 
they ran so fiercely against each other, that the ground 
seemed to shake under them, and the skies to resound 
the echoes of their mighty strokes. 

At the second bout the champions had, St David had 
the worst, and was constrained, through the forcible 
strength of the Count Palatine, to lean backward al- 
most beside his saddle, whereat the trumpets began to 
sound in sign of victory. But yet the valiant Christian, 
nothing dismayed, with courage ran the third time 
against the Count Palatine, and by the violence of his 
strength, overthrew both horse and man, when the 
Count's body was so extremely bruised by the fall of 
his horse, that his heart's blood issued forth by his 
mouth, and his vital spirit was pressed from the 
mansion of his breast, so that he was forced to give 
the world farewell 



GRIEF OF THE EMPEROR. 77 

This fatal overthrow of the Count Palatine abashed 
the whole company, but especially the emperor, who 
having no more sons but him, caused the lists to be 
broken up, the knights to be disarmed, and the Count 
to be brought, by four esquires, into his palace ; and 
after mcny sad sighs, he breathed forth this woful 
lamentation: — 

" Now are my triumphs turned into everlasting woes, 
from a pleasant pastime to a direful and bloody tragedy. 
most unkind Fortune, never constant but in change; 
why is my life prolonged to see the downfall of my dear 
son, the noble Count Palatine? Why rends not this ac- 
cursed earth whereon I stand, and presently swallow up 
my body into her hungry bowels? Is this the use of 
Christians, for true honour to repay dishonour? Could 
not base blood serve to stain his deadly hands withal, 
but the royal blood of my dear son, for whose revenge 
the face of the heavens is stained with blood, and cries 
for vengeance to the majesty of mighty Jove. The 
dreadful Furies, the direful daughters of dark Night, 
and all the baleful company of burning Acheron, whose 
loins shall be girt with serpents, and hair be hanged 
with wreaths of snakes, shall haunt, pursue, and follow 
this cursed Christian champion, that hath bereaved my 
country Tartary of so precious a jewel as my dear sou 
the Count Palatine, whose magnanimous prowess 
surpassed all the knights of our realm." 

There was, adjoining upon the borders of Tartary, 
an enchanted garden, kept by magic art, whence no 
one returned that attempted to enter; the governor of 
this garden was a famous necromancer, named Orman- 
dine, to whom the emperor intended to send the 



78 THE EMPEROR HOPES TO PUNISH ST DAVID. 

adventurous champion St David, thereby to revenge 
the Count Palatine's death. So the emperor after 
some days had passed, and the obsequies of his son 
had been performed, caused the Christian knight to be 
brought into his presence, and committed to him this 
heavy task and weary labour. 

" Proud knight," said the angry emperor, "thou 
knowest since thy arrival in our territories, how highly 
I have honoured thee, not only in granting thee liberty 
to live, but making thee chief champion of Tartary, 
which high honour thou hast repaid with great ingra- 
titude, and blemished true nobility, in slaying my dear 
son, for which unhappy deed thou rightly deservedst 
death ; but yet know, accursed Christian, that mercy 
harboureth in princely minds, and where honour sits 
enthroned there justice is not too severe; although 
thou hast deserved death, yet if thou wilt venture 
to the enchanted garden, and bring hither the magician's 
head, I grant thee not only life, but the crown of Tar- 
tary after my decease, because I see thou hast a mind 
furnished with all princely thoughts, and adorned with 
true magnanimity." 

This heavy task and strange adventure not a little 
pleased the noble champion of Wales ; who, after some 
considerate thought, replied : 

"Most high and magnificent emperor," said the 
champion, " were this task, which you enjoin me, as 
wonderful as the labours of Hercules, or as fearful as 
the enterprise ot Jason for the golden fleece, yet would I 
attempt to finish it and return with triumph to Tartary, 
as the Macedonian monarch did to Babylon, when he 
had conquered half of the wide world." Which words 



THE ENCHANTED GARDEN. 79 

were no sooner ended, than the emperor bound him by 
his oath of knighthood, and by the love he bore unto 
his native country, never to follow other adventure till 
he had performed his promise, which was to bring the 
magician Ormandine's head into Tartary ; whereupon 
the emperor departed from the noble knight St David, 
hoping never to see him return, but rather to hear of 
his utter confusion, or everlasting imprisonment. 

Thus the valiant Christian champion, being bound 
by his promise, within three days prepared all neces- 
saries for his departure, and travelled westward, until 
he approached the enchanted garden, the situation 
whereof somewhat daunted his valiant courage, for it 
was encompassed with a hedge of withered thorns and 
briars, which seemed continually to burn ; upon the top 
thereof sat a number of strange and deformed things, 
some in the likeness of night owls, which wondered at 
the presence of St David ; some in the shape of Progne's 
transformation, foretelling his unfortunate doom ; and 
some like ravens, that with their harsh throats ring 
forth hateful knells of woful tragedies. The skies 
which covered the enchanted garden seemed to 
be overspread with misty clouds, whence continually 
shot flames of fire, as though the air had been 
filled with blazing comets; which fearful spectacle 
struck such terror into the champion's heart, that 
twice he was disposed to return without performing 
the adventure, but for his oath and honour of 
knighthood, which he had pawned for its accomplish- 
ment. So laying his body on the cold earth, he made 
his humble petition to God, that his mind might never 
be oppressed with cowardice, nor his heart daunted with 



SO ST DAVID FALLS INTO A DEEP SLEEP. 

faint fears, till he had performed what the emperor 
had bound him to do; with this he rose from the 
ground, and with cheerful looks beheld the elements, 
which seemed in his conceit to smile at the enterprise, 
and to foreshow success. 

So the noble knight, St David, with a valiant courage, 
went to the garden gate, by which stood a rock of stone, 
overspread with moss ; in which rock by magic art was 
enclosed a sword, nothing outwardly appearing but the 
hilt, which was the richest, in his judgment, that ever 
his eyes beheld, for the steel-work, beset with jaspers 
and sapphire-stones, was engraven very curiously ; the 
pommel was in the fashion of a globe, of the purest 
silver that the mines of rich America brought forth. 
About the pommel w r as engraven with letters of gold 
this verse following : 

My magic spells remain most firmly bound, 
The world's strange wonder unknown to any one, 

Till that a knight within the north be found, 
To pull this sword from out this rock of stone: 

Then ends my charms, my magic arts and all, 

By whose strong hand wise Ormandine must fall. 

This inscription drove such a conceited imagination 
into the champion's mind, that he supposed himself to 
be the northern knight by whom the necromancer 
should be conquered ; therefore, without any further 
delay he put his hand into the hilt of the rich sword, 
thinking presently to pull it out from the enchanted 
rock of Ormandine ; but no sooner did he attempt 
that vain enterprise, than his senses were overtaken 
with a sudden and heavy sleep, whereby he was forced 
to let go his hold, and to fall flat upon the ground, 
where his senses were drowned in such a dead slumber 



ST GEORGE ESCAPES FROM PRISON. 81 

that it was as impossible to recover himself from sleep 
as to pall the sun out of the firmament. The necro- 
mancer, by his magic skill, had intelligence of the 
champion's misfortune, and sent from the enchanted 
garden four spirits, in the similitude and likeness of 
four beautiful damsels, who wrapped the drowsy 
champion in a sheet of fine Arabian silk, and con- 
veyed him into a cave, directly placed in the middle 
of the garden, where they laid him upon a bed, which 
was softer than down of culvers ; where those beauti- 
ful ladies, through the art of wicked Ormandine, 
continually kept him sleeping for the term of sejc 
years. 

Thus was St David's adventure unsuccessful. His 
day's travels turned into a night's repose, his night's 
repose into a heavy sleep, which endured until seven 
years were fully finished ; and where we will leave him 
at the mercy of the necromancer Ormandine, and re- 
turn to the most noble and magnanimous champion, 
St George, whom we left imprisoned in the Soldan's 
court. 



CHAPTER IX. 



How St George escaped out of prison in Persia, and of his fierce battle 
with a giant ; also, how he redeemed the champion of Wales from his 
enchamment ; with the tragical tale of the necromancer, Ormandine. 

Now seven times had frosty-bearded Winter covered 
both herbs and flowers with snow, and hung the trees 
with crystal icicles, since the unfortunate St George 

G 



^L ; ST GEORGE ESCAPES FEOM PBIS 

beheld the cheerful light of heaven, but lived obscure 
in a dismal dungeon, by the Soidan of I com- 

:ein the beginning of this 
ry, EHs ... : fori ..- so excited hi 

and times a year he wished an 
is life, and &nd tiinei _r eon : 

: i h i ju. 

sre ended, it was 
the .1 Qj ic a'a Luc inc to find, in a aeci sf 

: the dungeon, a certain iron implement, which 
' oe had almost «; tonsumed with rust, with which, ijf 
long labour, he dug himself a passage through the 
ground, till he ascendc in the middle of the 

Soldan'e court, at that time of the nighi whc 
things were silent Now, the noble knight, be: 
fearful as the bird escaped from the fen 

net, gazed about, and listened where he might hear the 
i of people he heard the grooms of the 

Soldan*s stable, famishing forth horses for the next 
>rsome great achievement Whereupon the 
noble champion. : George .lie iron implement 

wherewith he redeemed himself from prison urst open 
: ; rs, slew :.'."_ ti g grc :_s in the Soldan's stable ; 
he took the sti rag &t ] 1 the :i:^r£: 

furniture, with other necess aries Ining to a 

kiiight-at-arms, and sc rode in ._. : to one 

;: the aty gates, where he tei in this 

manner: 

-Porter, open the gates, for St George of England 
l;s escaped, and murdered the gi : :^ ; . end in his 
suit the ■:: ty is in arms/' TVhich words the simple 
Persian believed, and sc with opened the 



st george's further adventures. 83 

gates ; and so the champion of England departed, and 
left the Soldan in a dead sleep, little dreaming of his 
sudden escape. 

Bat by the time the purple-spotted morning had 
parted with her grey, and the sun's bright countenance 
appeared on the mountain tops, St George had ridden 
twenty miles from the Persian court, and before his 
departure was known in the Soldan's palace, the 
English champion had arrived in sight of Greece, 
beyond all danger from the Persian knights who 
swiftly followed him. 

By this time the extremity of hunger so sharply tor- 
mented him, that he could travel no further, but was 
constrained to sustain himself with certain wild chest- 
nuts instead of bread, and sour oranges instead of 
drink, and such poor food as grew by the way as he 
travelled. 

Journeying onwards, he at length espied a tower 
standing upon a chalky cliff, distant from him about 
three miles, whither the champion intended to go, not 
to seek for adventures, but to rest himself after his 
weary journey, and get such victuals as he could find 
to supply his wants. 

The way he found so well, and the journey so easy, 
that in half an hour he approached the tower; upon 
the wall of which stood a most beautiful woman, attired 
after the manner of a distressed lady, and her looks 
heavy like the queen of Troy, when she beheld her 
palace on fire. The valiant knight St George, after he 
had alighted from his horse, gave her this courteous 
salutation: — 

" Lady," said he, " for so you seem by your outward 



S4 ST GEORGE COMBATS THE GIANT. 

appearance, if ever you pitied a traveller, or granted 
succour to a Christian knight, give to me some food, 
for I am now almost famished." 

The lady, with a sad frown, answered thus: "Sir 
knight," quoth she, " I advise thee with all speed to 
depart, for here thou'lt get but a cold dinner: my lord 
is a mighty giant, and believeth in Mohammed ; and if 
he do but understand that thou art a Christian knight, 
not all the gold of Higher India, nor the riches of 
wealthy Babylon, can preserve thy life." " Now, by 
the honour of my knighthood," replied St George, 
"assisted by the God that Christendom adores, were 
thy lord stronger than mighty Hercules that bore 
mountains on his back, here will I either obtain my 
dinner, or die by his accursed hand." 

These words so abashed the lady, that she went with 
all speed from the tower, and told the giant, that a 
Christian knight remained at the gate, and had sworn 
to suffice his hunger in despite of his will. Whereupon 
the furious giant suddenly started up, having been in a 
sound sleep, for it was the middle of the day, and tak- 
ing a bar of iron in his hand, he came down to the 
tower-gate. His stature was in height five yards, his 
head bristled like a boar, a foot there was betwixt each 
brow, his eyes were hollow, his mouth wide, his lips 
were like to flaps of steel, and in all his proportions he 
was more like a demon than a man. This deformed 
monster so daunted the courage of St George, that he 
prepared himself for death, not through fear of the 
monstrous giant, but from hunger and feebleness of 
body. But here God provided for him, and so restored 
to him his decayed strength, that he endured battle until 



ST GEORGE REACHES THE ENCHANTED GARDEN. 85 

the close of the evening, by which time the giant grew 
almost blind, through the sweat that ran down from his 
monstrous brows; whereupon St George got the advan- 
tage, and wounded the giant so cruelly under the short 
ribs, that he was compelled to fall to the ground, and 
give up his life. 

After this happy event St George first gave the 
honour of his victory unto God, in<whose power all his 
fortune consisted; then entered the tower, where the 
lady presented him with all manner of delicacies and 
pure wines ; but the English knight suspecting 
treachery to be hidden under her proffered courtesy, 
caused her to taste of every dish, likewise of the wine, 
lest some violent poison should be therein mixed; but 
finding all things pure and wholesome, as nature re- 
quired, he satisfied his hunger, rested his weary body, 
and refreshed his horse. 

And so leaving the tower in keeping of the lady, he 
committed his fortune to new travel, as his revived 
spirits never required longer rest than for the re- 
freshing himself and his horse ; so he travelled through 
part of Greece, the confines of Phrygia, and into the 
borders of Tartary, within which territories he had 
not long journeyed than he approached in sight of 
the enchanted garden of Ormandine, where St David 
the champion of Wales had so long slept by magic art. 
But no sooner did he behold the wonderful situation 
thereof, than he espied Ormandine's sword enclosed in 
the enchanted rock ; and, after he had read the super- 
scription written about the pommel, he essayed to pull 
it out by strength; and he no sooner put Iris hand 
upon the hilt, than he drew it forth with as much ease 



86 DISCOMFITURE OF ORMAXDIXE. 

as though it had been hung by a thread of untwisted 
silk : and when he beheld the glitte ing brightness of 
the blade, and the wonderful richness of the pommel, 
he accounted the prize more worth than the armour of 
Achilles, which caused Ajax to run mad, and much 
richer than Medea's golden fleece. But by the time 
St George had circumspectly looked into every secret 
of the sword, he heard a strange and dismal voice 
thunder in the skies ; a terrible and mighty lumbering 
in the earth, by which both hills and mountains were 
shaken, rocks were removed, and oaks were rent in 
pieces. 

After this, the gates of the enchanted garden flew 
open; whence came forth Ormandine the magician, 
with his hair standing on his head, his eyes sparkling, 
his cheeks blushing, his hands quivering, his legs 
trembling, and all the rest of his body distempered, as 
though legions of spirits had encompassed him about ; 
he came directly to the worthy knight, who remained 
still by the enchanted rock, whence he had pulled the 
magician's sword, and took the most valiant and mag- 
nanimous champion St George of Englandby the gaunt- 
let, and with great humility kissed it ; then proffering 
him the courtesy due to strangers, which was performed 
very graciously, he afterwards conducted him into the 
enchanted garden, to the cave where the champion of 
Wales was kept sleeping by four virgins singing 
delightful songs, and after seating him in a chair oi 
ebony, Ormandine thus began to relate of wonderful 
things- : 

" Renowned knight at arms," said the necromancer, 
"Fame's worthiest champion, whose strange adventures 



CRMANPIXE's ADVICE TO ST GEORGE. 87 

all Christ endom in time to come shall applaud; be 
silent till I have told my tale, for never after this must 
my tongue speak again. The knight whom thou seest 
here wrapped in this sheet of gold, is a Christian 
champion, as thou art, sprung from the ancient seed 
of Trojan warriors, who. likewise attempted to draw 
this enchanted sword, but my magic spells so prevailed, 
that he was intercepted in the enterprise, and forced 
ever since to remain sleeping in this cave. But now i 
the hour is almost come for his recovery, which by thee 
must be accomplished. Thou art that adventurous 
champion whose invincible hand must finish up my 
detested life, and send my fleeting soul to draw thy 
fatal chariot on the banks of burning Acheron ; for my 
time to remain in this enchanted garden was limited, 
till from the north should come a knight who should 
pull this sword from the enchanted rock, which thou 
happily hast now performed; therefore I know my 
time is short, and my hour of destiny at hand. What 
I report, write in brazen lines, for the time will come 
when this discourse shall highly benefit thee. Take 
heed thou observest three things; first, That thou 
take to wife a virtuous maid ; next, That thou erect 
a monument over thy father's grave ; and lastly, That 
thou continue a professed enemy to the foes of Christ 
Jesus, bearing arms in the honour and praise of thy 
country. These things being truly and justly observed, 
thou shalt attain such honour, that all kingdoms of 
Christendom shall admire thy dignity. What I speak 
is from no vain imagination, sprung from a frantic 
brain, but pronounced by the mystical and deep art of 
necromancy." 



88 ormandike's history. 

These words were no sooner ended, than the most 
honourable fortunate champion of England requested 
the magician to describe his past fortunes, and by 
what means he came to be governor of the enchanted 
garden. 

" To tell the discourse of my own life," replied Or- 
mancline, " will breed a new sorrow in my heart, the 
remembrance of which will rend my very soul. But 
yet, most noble knight, to fulfil thy request, I will force 
iny tongue to declare what my heart denies to utter ; 
therefore prepare thine ear to listen to the most woful 
tale that ever tongue delivered." 

THE WOFUL AND TRAGICAL DISCOURSE, PRONOUNCED 
BY THE NECROMANCER ORMANDINE, OF THE MISERY 
OF HIS CHILDREN. 

" I was in former times king of Scythia, my name 
Ormandme, graced in my youth with two fair daugh- 
ters, whom nature had not only made beautiful, but 
replenished with all gifts that art could devise. The 
elder, whose name was Castria, was the fairest maid 
that ever Scythia brought forth. Among the number 
of knights ensnared by her love, there was one Flori- 
don, son to the king of Armenia, equal to her in every 
ornament of nature ; a lovelier couple never trod on 
earth, or graced any prince's court in the whole world. 
" This Floridon so seemingly burned in affection for 
the admired Castria, that he offered her his love, and 
was accepted, but he afterwards betrothed himself to 
my younger daughter, whose name was Marcilla, no 
less beautified with nature's gifts than her elder sister; 
and when the inconstant Floridon perceived that the 



FATAL JEALOUSY OF CASTRIA. 89 

unhappy Castria upbraided him with many ignominious 
words, he with a wrathful countenance replied — 'I 
tell thee, Castria, my love was ever yet to follow arms, 
to hear the sound of drums, to ride upon a nimble steed, 
and not to trace a carpet dance, like Priam's son, before 
the eyes of Menelaus's wife. Therefore begone, dis- 
turbing creature ; go sing thy ha^sh melody in com- 
pany of night birds.' 

"After which reproachful speeches, Floridon de- 
parted from her presence, not leaving behind him so 
much as a kind look. Whereat the distressed lady, 
being oppressed with intolerable grief, sunk down, not 
able to speak for a time ; but at last, recovering her 
senses, she began anew to complain. 

" ' I,' quoth she, c must now abandon and utterly 
forsake all company, and seek some cave, w T herein I 
may sit for evermore and bewail myself. My Floridon, 
oh ! he denieth me, and accounts my sight as ominous 
as the baleful crocodile's. inconstant Floridon ! thou 
didst promise me marriage ; but now thy vows I see 
are false. Thou hast forsaken me, and tied thy faith 
unto my sister Marcilla, who must enjoy thy love.' 

" Thus complained the woful Castria, roving up and 
down the court of Scythia, for five months. At the 
end of which time, the appointed marriage of Floridon 
and Marcilla drew nigh, and the prince and potentates 
of Scythia were present to celebrate Hymen's holy 
rites ; in which honourable assemblies none were more 
busy than Castria to beautify her sister's wedding. 
The ceremonies being performed, and the day spent 
in pleasures fitting so great and mighty an occa- 
Bion, Castria requested the privilege of the country, 



90 OKMANDiXE's history. 

which was this : that on the first night of any 
maiden's marriage her sister should sleep with the 
bride; which honourable task was committed to 
Castria, who provided herself with a silver bodkin, 
wherewith she intended to prosecute revenge, and hid 
it in the ringlets of her hair. The bride's sleeping 
chamber was appointed far from the hearing of any 
one, lest the noise of people should hinder her quiet 
sleep. 

" But at last, when the hour approached that the 
bride should take leave of her ladies and maidens that 
attended her to her chamber, the new-married Flori- 
don, in company of many Scythian knights, committed 
Marcilla to her quiet rest, little suspecting the bloody 
purpose of her sister's mind. 

u And now behold how every thing fell out according 
to her desires. The ladies and gentlemen had no sooner 
departed, andsilence taken possession of the whole court, 
than Castria locked the chamber-door, and secretly 
conveyed the keys under the bed's head, unperceived 
by the betrayed Marcilla, who, poor lady, after some 
speeches, went to bed ; wherein she was no sooner laid, 
than a heavy sleep over-mastered her senses, whereby 
her tongue was forced to bid her sister good night, who 
sat discontented by her bed-side, watching the time 
when she might conveniently act her bloody tragedy. 
Upon a court cupboard stood two burning tapers, that 
gave light to the whole chamber, which in her conceit 
seemed to burn blue. After this, she took the silver 
bodkin, that she had secretly hidden in her hair, and 
came to her new-married sister, then overcome with a 
heavy slumber, and with her bodkin pierced her tender 



SAD FATE OF THE TWO SISTERS. 91 

breast ; who immediately, on receiving the stroke, started 
from her sleep, and gave such a pitiful shriek, that it 
would have awakened the whole court, but that the 
chamber stood far from the hearing of company, except 
her bloody-minded sister, whose hand was ready in 
her fury with a second stroke. 

" But when Marcilla beheld the sheets and ornaments 
of her bed bestained with purple gore, and from her 
breast run streams of crimson blood, which like a foun- 
tain trickled down her bosom, she breathed forth this 
exclamation against the cruelty of Castria : 

" ' sister,' said she, ' hath nature harboured in 
thy breast a horrid soul? What fury hath incensed 
thee to commit this tragedy? What have I done, 
or wherein hath my tongue offended thee ? What has 
caused thy remorseless hand to convert against nature 
my joyful nuptials to a woful funeral ? ' ' This is the 
cause,' replied Castria, declaring how Floridon had 
deserted her, 'that Ihave bathed my hands inthyblood. ,> 
" Which words were no sooner finished, than she 
violently pierced her own breast, whereby the blood 
of the two sisters was mingled together. 

" Now when the morning sun had chased away the 
dark night, Floridon, who little suspected the fate of 
the two sisters, repaired to the chamber door, with 
a concert of skilful musicians, but their harmony 
sounded only to the walls, and his morning salutations 
were made in vain ; he burst open the door, and hav- 
ing entered, he found the two ladies weltering in their 
own gore ; which woful spectacle so bereaved him of 
his wits, that like a frantic man he raged up and down, 
and thus bitterly complained : 



92 ormandine's history. 

" ' Oh, immortal powers ! open the vengeful gates of 
heaven, and in your justice punish me, for my in con- 
stant love hath murdered two of the bravest ladies that 
ever nature framed. Revive, sweet dames of Seythia, 
and hear me speak, I that am the most woful wretch 
that ever spoke ; if spirit may here be given for spirit, 
dear ladies, take my life and live; or if my heart 
might dwell within your breasts, this hand shall equally 
divide it.' 

" Which woful lamentation was no sooner breathed 
from his sorrowful breast, than he finished his days by 
the stroke of the same accursed bodkin which was the 
instrument of the two sisters' death, and which he 
found still remaining in the hand of remorseless 
Castria. 

"When the report of Floridon's unhappy death 
was bruited to his father's ears, his grief so exceeded 
the bounds of reason, that with all convenient speed he 
gathered the greatest strength Armenia could" make, 
and, in revenge for his son's fate, entered my terri- 
tories, and with his well-approved warriors, subdued 
my provinces, slaughtered my soldiers, conquered my 
captains, slew my subjects, burnt my cities, and 
left my country villages desolate; and when I 
beheld my country overspread with famine, fire, and 
sword, three intestine plagues wherewith Heaven 
scourgeth the sins of the wicked, I was forced, for the 
safeguard of my life, to forsake my native habitation 
and kingly government, committing my fortune (like 
a banished exile) to wander in unknown countries, 
where Care was my chief companion, and Discontent 
my only solicitor. At last it was my destiny to 



ST DAVID AWAKES FROM HIS LONG SLEEP. 93 

arrive in this unhappy place, which I supposed to 
be the abode of Despair ; where I had not remained 
many days in my melancholy passion, when methought 
the jaws of deep Avernus opened, and there 
ascended a most fearful demon, who promised if I 
placed my fortune at his disposal, he would defend me 
from the fury of the whole world. To which I 
having at once consented, upon some assurance, he 
placed before my face this enchanted sword, so surely 
closed in stone, that it could never be pulled out but 
by the hands of a Christian knight, and till that task 
was performed, I should live exempt from all danger? 
although all the kingdoms of the earth assailed me ; 
which task, most adventurous champion, thou hast 
now performed, whereby I know the hour of my death 
approache'th, and my time of confusion is at hand." 

This discourse pronounced by the necromancer Or- 
mandine, was no sooner finished, than the worthy cham- 
pion, St George, heard such a rattling in the skies, and 
such a lumbering in the earth, that he expected some 
strange event to follow ; then, casting his eyes aside, 
he saw the enchanted garden vanish, and the champion 
of Wales awake from his long sleep, wherein he had 
remained seven years; who, like one risen from a 
swoon, for a time stood speechless, not able to utter 
one word, till he beheld the noble champion of England 
steadfastly gazing upon the necromancer, who, at the 
vanishing of the enchantment, gave a terrible groan 
and died. 

The two champions, after many embracings and 
kind greetings, revealed to each other the strange 
adventures they had met. St David told how he was 



94 FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ST GEORGE. 

bound by the oath of knighthood to undertake the 
capture of Orniandine: whereupon St George de- 
livered the enchanted sword, with the necromancer's 
head, which he severed from his body, into the hands 
of St David. Bat here must my weary Muse leave St 
David travelling with Ormandine's head to the Tartar 
emperor, and speak of the adventures that hap- 
pened to St George after his departure from the 
enchanted garden. 



CHAPTER X. 

How St George arrived at Tripoli, in Barbary, where he stole away Sabra, 
• the king's daughter of Egypt, from the Blackmoor king; and how her 
fidelity was known by the means of two lions; and what happened to 
him in the same adventure. 

St George, after the recovery of St David, as you 
heard in the former chapter, hastened his. journey 
towards Christendom, whose pleasant plains he long 
desired to behold, and thought every day a year, till 
his eyes enjoyed the sweet sight of his native country 
of England, upon whose chalky cliffs he had not ridden 
for many a weary summer's day. Therefore commit- 
ting his journey to a fortunate issue, he travelled 
through many a dangerous country, where the people 
were not only of a bloody disposition, and given to all 
manner of wickedness, but the soil was greatly in- 
fested by wild beasts. 

Thusin extreme danger travelled the noble champion, 
St George, till he arrived in the territories of Barbary, 
in which country he purposed for a time to remain, 



ST GEORGE AND THE HERMIT. 95 

and to seek for some noble achievement, whereby his 
fame might be increased; and being encouraged by 
this chivalric thought, the noble champion of Eng- 
land climbed to the top of a high mountain, where 
he unlocked his beaver, which before had not been 
lifted up for many a day, and beheld the wide and 
spacious country, how it was beautified with lofty 
pines, and adorned with many goodly palaces. But 
amongst the number of the towers and cities which the 
English champion beheld, there was one which seemed 
to exceed the rest both in situation and fine build- 
ings, which he supposed to be the chief city of the 
country, and the place where the king usually held his 
court; to which St George intended to travel, not to 
furnish himself with any needful article, but to accom- 
plish some honourable adventure, whereby his deeds 
might be immortalised in the books of memory. So 
after he had descended from the top of the steep 
mountain, and had travelled into a low valley about 
two or three miles, he approached an old and almost 
ruined hermitage, over-grown with moss and other 
weeds. Before the entry of this hermitage sat an 
ancient father upon a round stone, enjoying the heat of 
the warm sun, which cast such a comfortable bright- 
ness upon the hermit's face, that his white beard 
seemed to glitter like silver, and his head to exceed 
the whiteness of the northern icicles: from whom, after 
St George had paid the reverence that belongs to 
age, he demanded the name of the country, and the 
city he travelled to, and by what king the country was 
governed. The courteous hermit thus replied: 

" Most noble knight, for so I guess you are by your 



i« j sr CtZjz:-z ziiazs ?az rvrzzz: :-z>: :z. 

furniture and outward appearance, yon are nu 
territory of Barbary; yonder city opposite yo 

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l : ~ z r 7 *" 7 : 1 his : : z:z . a ~ : 7 z i - :;. :: ~ ■:■.. 



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ST GEORGE AND THE HERMIT CHANGE CLOTHES. 97 

Therefore, dear father, be so kind to a traveller, as 
to exchange thy clothing for my rich furniture and 
steed, which I brought from the Soldan of Persia, for in 
the habit of a palmer I may enjoy the happiness of her 
sight without suspicion; therefore courteously deliver 
me thy hermit's gown, and I will give, with my horse 
and armour, this box of costly jewels." The grave 
hermit humbly thanked the noble champion, and so 
with all the speed they could possibly make, they ex- 
changed apparel, and in this manner he departed. 

The palmer being glad, repaired to his hermitage with 
St George's furniture, and St George in the palmer's 
apparel towards the city of Tripoli ; and he no sooner 
came to the sumptuous buildings of the court than he 
espied a hundred poor palmers kneeling at the gate, to 
whom he spake after this manner: 

" My dear brethren," said the champion, " for what 
intent remain you here, or what expect you from this 
honourable court?" 

" We abide here," answered the palmers, "for an 
alms, which the queen once a day hath given these 
seven years, for the sake of an English knight, named 
St George, whom she loved above all the knights in 
the world." "But when will this be given?" said St 
George. 

" In the afternoon," replied the palmers : " until 
which time, upon our bended knees, we hourly pray for 
the good fortune of the most noble English knight." 
Which speeches so pleased the valiant-minded champion 
St George, that he thought every minute a year, till 
the golden sun had passed the middle part of heaven; 
for it had then but newly risen from Aurora's bed, whose 

H 



98 GRIEF OF QUEEN SABRA. 

light, as yet, with a shame-faced radiant blush stained 
the eastern sky. 

During this time, the most valiant and magnanimous 
champion St George of England, now remembering 
the extreme misery he endured in Persia for her sake, 
now thinking upon the terrible battle he had with the 
burning dragon in Egypt, where he redeemed her from 
the fatal jaws of death, walked about the court, be- 
holding the sumptuous buildings, and the curious 
engraven works executed by the achievement of man 
upon the glittering windows; when he heard, to his 
exceeding pleasure, the heavenly voice of his beloved 
Sabra, proceeding from a window upon the west side 
of the palace, where she warbled forth this sorrowful 
ditty to her lute: — 

Die. all desires of joy and courtly pleasures; 

Die, all desires of princely royalty; 

Die, all desires of worldly treasures; 

Die, all desires of stately majesty; 

Since he is gone that pleased most my eye, 

For whom I wish ten thousand times to die. 

that mine eyes might never cease to weep, 

that my tongue might evermore complain, 
that my soul might in his bosom sleep, 
For whose sweet sake my heart doth live in pain ; 
In woe I sing, my life with sorrow spent, 
Outworn with grief, consumed with discontent. 

In time the sighs will dim the heavens' fair light, 

Which hourly fly from my tormented breast, 
Except St George, that noble English knight, 
With safe return shall make me truly blest ; 
Then bitter cries shall end without alloy, 
Exchanging weeping tears for smiling joy. 

Her song being ended, she left the window, away 



SABRA AND THE PALMERS. 99 

from the hearing of the English champion, who stood 
gazing up at the casement, preparing his ears to 
listen to her sweet-tuned melody a second time. But 
it was in vain; whereat he grew more perplexed 
in passion than iEneas, when he had lost his beloved 
Creusa amongst the army of the Grecians ; sometimes 
wishing the day to vauish in a moment, that the hour 
of her benevolence might approach ; at other times 
comforting his sad cogitations with the remembrance 
of her long-continued constancy for his sake. 

Thus he passed the time away, till the glorious sun 
began to decline in the western parts of the earth, when 
the palmers should receive her wonted benevolence. 
The English champion placed himself in the midst of 
those that expected the welcome hour of her coming, 
and at the time appointed she came to the palace gate, 
attired in mourning vesture, like Polixena, king Priam's 
daughter, when she went to sacrifice ; her hair after 
a careless manner hung waving in the wind, almost 
changed from yellow burnished brightness to the colour 
of silver, through her long continued sorrow and grief 
of heart ; her eyes seemed to have wept seas of tears, 
and her wonted beauty was now stained with the pearly 
dew that trickled down her cheeks; and after the 
sorrowful queen had justly numbered the palmers, and 
with vigilant eyes beheld the princely countenance of 
St George, her colour began to change from red to 
white, and from white to red, as though the lily and 
rose strove for superiority. But yet concealing her 
agitation under a smooth brow, she first delivered 
her alms to the palmers, then taking St George aside, 
with him she thus kindly began to confer : 



100 ST GEORGE MAKES HIMSELF KKOWXi 

u Palmer.'* said she. i; thou r&emblest both in princely 
countenance and courteous behaviour that thrice hon- 
oured champion of England, for whose sake I have 
daily bestowed my benevolence for these seven yea: - ; 
his name is St George : his fame I know thou hast 
heard reported in many a country to be the bravest 
knight that ever buckled on steel helmet. Therefore 
for his sake will I grace thee with the chiefest honour 
in this court : instead of thy russet gabardine, I will 
clothe thee in purple silk, and instead of the ebon staff, 
thy hand shall wield the richest sword that ever princely 
eye beheld.' 1 

To which the noble champion St George replied in 
this courteous manner : 

• ; I have heard,*' said he, ^ the princely achieve- 
ments and magnanimous adventures of that honoured 
English knight, whom you so dearly esteem, bruited 
through many princes' courts, and how for the love of 
a lady he hath endured a long imprisonment, when 
he never looked to return, but to spend the rem:;;.::: of 
his days in lasting misery." 

At which, the queen let fall from her eyes such a 
shower of pearly tears, and sent such numbers of 
strained sighs from her grieved heart, that her sorrow 
seemed to exceed that of the queen of Carthage, when 
she had for ever lost the sight of hei beloved lord. 
But the brave-minded champion purposed no longer to 
continue secret, but with his discovery to convert her 
sorrowful moans to smiling joy. And so casting 
his palmer's weeds, acknowledged himself to the que-::. 
and showed the half-ring. TVhich ring in former time 
(as you have read before) they had equally 



GREAT JOT OF SABRA. 101 

betwixt them, to be kept in remembrance of their 
plighted faith. 

This unexpected sight highly pleased the beauteous 
Sabra, and her joy so exceeded the bounds of reason, 
that she could not speak one word, but was constrained 
through her new born pleasure to breathe a sad sigh 
into the champion's bosom, who, like a true and noble 
knight, embraced her with a loving kiss; and after these 
two lovers had fully discoursed to each other the secrets 
of their souls, Sabra took him gently by the hand, 
and led him into her husband's stables, where stood 
his faithful palfrey, who no sooner espied the return 
of his master, than he was more proud of his presence 
than Bucephalus of the Macedonian monarch, when he 
most joyfully returned in triumph from any victorious 
conquest. 

"Now is the time," said the excellent princess 
Sabra, "that thou mayestseal the remembrance of our 
former loves; therefore, with all convenient speed take 
thy faithful palfrey and thy trusty sword Ascalon, 
which I will presently deliver into thy hands, and with 
all celerity convey me from this unhappy country ; for 
the king, my husband, with all his adventurous knights, 
being now forth hunting, their absence will assist 
our flight ; but if you stay till his return, it is not a 
hundred of the hardiest knights in the world could bear 
rae from this accursed palace." 

At which words St George, having a mind graced 
with all excellent virtues, replied in this manner: 

" Thou knowest, my divine lady, that for thy love I 
would endure as many dangers as Jason suffered in the 
isle of Colchis. But how is it possible thou canst fly 



102 BASRA ESCAPES WITH ST GEORGE. 

with me, when thou hast been crowned queen I 
seven years, and lived so long . king?" 

••He." quoth she, Ms ray foe. whose touch I count 
more loathsome than a den of soak 
more ominous than the crocodile. As for tl 
of Morocco, which by force of friends was bc : 

_:.: :: might be turned intc ze of 

quenchlessflre.il i: might ;.:: sndangei . and 

for the name of queen. I account it a vain title ; 
had rather be an E:... the greatest 

empress in the wori 

Upon these speeches St George willing 
and with all speed purposed to go into England. Sd 
losing no time. Sabra furnished herself with sufficienl 
treasure, a lined the consent : nuch, who 

was appointed her guard in the king's absence, to 
accompany In their travel, and to serve as a trust j 

guide, if occasion reqnii 

So these thre 
travels to the g ho preserved them 

from dangers :;' pursuing enemies, who on the king's 
rn from hunting followed them "_:::; and 

haven that divided the kingdom of I from the 

confines of Ca:is:endom. But kind I>es:iny s; guided 
their steps, that they travelled another way, 
contrary to their expee:a:;:ns. when they looked to 
arrive upon the territories of Europe, t h -: y were cast 
upon the fruitful plains of Greece : in wa;:a country 
we must tell what happened to the thrc .rrs. 

And now, Melpomene, thou tragic sister of the 

38, report what unlucky crosses happened to these 

three travellers on the confines of Greece, and how 



SABRA OVERCOME WITH HUNGER. 103 

their smiling comedy was by ill-luck turned into a 
weeping tragedy ; for when they had journeyed about 
three or four leagues, over many a lofty hill, they came 
nigh unto a vast wilderness, through which the way 
seemed so long, and the sun-beams so exceedingly 
powerful, that Sabra, from weariness of travel, and the 
extreme heat of the day, was constrained to rest under 
the shelter of a mighty oak, whose branches had not 
been lopped for many a year. She had not long 
remained there when her heart began to faint from 
hunger, and her colour, which was but a little before 
as fair as any lady's in the world, began to change for 
want of a little drink; whereupon the most famous 
champion St George, half dead with grief, comforted 
her as well as he could after this manner : 

" Faint not, my dear lady," said he, " here is that 
good sword that once preserved thee from the burning 
dragon, and before thou shalt die for want of sustenance 
it shall make way to every corner of the wilderness ; 
where I will either kill some venison to refresh thy hun- 
gry stomach, or make my tomb in the bowels of some 
monstrous beast. Therefore abide thou here under this 
tree, in company of thy faithful eunuch, till I return 
either with the flesh of some wild deer, or else some 
flying bird, to refresh thy spirit for new travel." 

Thus left he his beloved lady with the eunuch in the 
woods, and travelled up and down the wilderness, till 
he espied a herd of fatted deer, from which company he 
singled out the fairest, and like a tripping satyr, coursed 
her to death; then with his keen-edged sword cut out 
the goodliest haunch of venison that ever hunter's eye 
beheld ; which gift he supposed to be most welcome to 



104 SABRA AND THE LIONS. 

his beloved lady. But mark what happened in his ab- 
sence to the two weary travellers under the tree: where, 
after St George's departure, they had not long sat, dis- 
coursing about their long journeys and safe delivery 
from the hated Blackmoor king, stealing the time 
away with many an ancient story, when there appeared 
out of a thicket two huge and monstrous lions, which 
came directly pacing towards the two travellers. 
When Sabra beheld this fearful spectacle, having a 
heart overcharged with extreme fear of death, she 
committed her soul into the hands of God, and her 
body, almost famished for food, to satisfy the hunger 
of the furious lions, but who, by the appointment of 
heaven, did not so much as lay their wrathful paws 
upon the smallest part of her garment, but with eager 
desire assailed the eunuch, until they had buried his 
body in the empty vaults of their hungry bowels; then 
with their teeth lately imbrued in blood, rent the 
eunuch's steed into small pieces: after which they 
came to the lady, who sat quaking half dead with fear, 
and, like two lambs, couched their heads upon her lap, 
and she with her hand stroked down their bristled hairs, 
not daring almost to breathe, till a heavy sleep had 
over-powered their furious senses. By this time the 
princely minded champion St George returned with a 
piece of venison upon the point of his sword: and at 
that unexpected sight stood amazed, doubting whether 
it was best to fly for safety of his life, or to venture 
his fortune against the furious lions. But at last, when 
he beheld his lady quaking before the dismal gates 
of death, his love encouraged him to such boldness, 
that, laying down his venison, he sheathed his fal- 



ST GEORGE AND SABRA ARRIVE IN GREECE 105 

chion in the bowels of one of the lions. Sabra kept the 
other sleeping in her lap till his prosperous hand had 
likewise despatched hint : which adventure being per- 
formed he first thanked heaven for his victory, and then 
in this kind manner saluted his lady : 

" Now Sabra/' said he, " I have by this sufficiently 
proved thy fidelity; for it is the nature of a lion, be he 
ever so furious, not to harm but humbly to lay his 
bristled head upon a maiden's lap. Therefore, divine 
paragon, thou art the world's chief wonder for love 
and chastity, thy honoured virtues shall ring as far 
as Phoebus sends his lights, and thy constancy I 
will maintain in every land to which I come, to be the 
truest under the circuit of the sun." At which words 
he cast his eyes aside, and beheld the bloody spectacle 
of the eunuch's tragic end, which Sabra wofully related 
to the grief of St George, when sad sighs served for a 
doleful knell to bewail his untimely death: but having 
a strong mind, not subject to vain sorrow when all 
hope of life is past, he ceased his grief, and prepared 
the venison for his lady's repast. 

After which joyful feast, these two princely persons 
set forward on their travels, on which the happy 
guide of heaven so conducted their steps, that before 
many days passed, they arrived in the Grecian court, 
upon the very day when the marriage of the Grecian 
emperor was to be solemnly held: whose nuptials, in 
former times had been bruited throughout every nation 
in the world, as well in Europe, as in Africa and Asia. 
At which honourable marriage the bravest knights 
then living on the earth were present; for golden Fame 
had spread the report thereof to the ears of the Seven 



106 THE SEVEN CHAMPIONS ARRIVE IN GREECE. 

Champions; in Thessaly, to St Denis, the champion 
of France, there remaining with his beauteous Eglan- 
tine; in Seville, to St James, the champion of Spain, 
where he remained with his lovely Celestine; to St 
Anthony, the champion of Italy, then travelling, on the 
borders of Scythia, with his lady Rosalinde; likewise 
to St Andrew, the champion of Scotland; to St Pat- 
rick, the champion of Ireland; and to St David the 
champion of Wales. 

But now Fame and smiling Fortune consented to 
make their knightly achievements shine in the eyes of the 
whole world, therefore by the conduct of heaven they 
all arrived in the Grecian emperor's court. 



CHAPTER XL 



Kow the seven champions arrived in Greece at the emperor's nuptials, where 
they perform many noble achievements; and how, afterwards, open war 
was proclaimed against Christendom by many knights, and how every 
champion departed into his own country. 

To speak of the number of knights that assembled in 
the Grecian court together, were too tedious a labour, 
requiring the pen of Homer ; therefore I will omit the 
honourable train of knights and ladies that attended 
them to the church ; their costly garments and glitter- 
ing ornaments, exceeding the royalty of Hecuba, the 
beauteous queen of Troy. After some few days the 
emperor proclaimed a solemn jousting to be held for the 
space of seven days, in honour of his marriage, and 
appointed for his chief champions the seven Christian 
knights. 



i 



FIRST DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. 107 

Before the day appointed for the tournament to 
begin, the emperor caused a large frame of timberwork 
to be erected, whereon the empress and her ladies might 
stand, for the better view of the tilters, and at pleasure 
behold the champions' encounters; likewise in the 
compass of the lists were pitched seven tents of seven 
different colours, wherein the seven champions might 
remain till the sound of the silver trumpets summoned 
them to appear. 

The first day, St Denis of France was appointed 
chief champion against all comers, being called by 
the title of the Golden knight, and at the sound of the 
trumpet entered the lists. His tent was of the colour 
of the marigold ; upon the top an artificial sun flamed, 
that seemed to beautify the whole assembly ; his horse 
an iron grey, graced with a plume of spangled feathers ; 
before him rode a page in purple silk, bearing upon his 
crest three golden fleurs-de-lis, which signified his 
arms. Thus in this royal manner entered St Denis 
the lists ; and after he had paced twice or thrice up 
and down, in the open view of the whole company, he 
prepared himself to begin the tournament. Against 
him ran many Grecian knights, who were foiled by the 
French champion, to the admiration of all beholders ; 
who, to be brief, behaved himself so worthily, and 
with such fortitude, that the emperor applauded him as 
the bravest knight in the world. 

Thus in great royalty, to the exceeding pleasure of 
the emperor, was the first day spent, till the dark 
evening caused the knights to break off company, and 
repair to their night's repose. And the next morning, 
no sooner did Phoebus show his splendid brightness, 



103 SECOND. THIRD, AND FOURTH DATS. 

than the herald, by command of the emperor, with a 
noise of trumpets, awakened the champions from their 
silent sleep, and they with all speed prepared for the 
second day's exercise. The chief champion appointed 
for that day. was the victorious knight. St James of 
Spain; who. after the emperor and empress had seated 
themselves :j with a stately train of beautiful ladies, en- 
tered the lists upon a Spanish jennet: directly opposite 
the emperor's throne, his tent was pitched, which was 
of the colour of quicksilver, and whereon were pour- 
trayed many fine devices; before the tent attended 
four esquires, bearing four several escutcheons in their 
hands, whereon were curiously painted the four ele- 
ments : he likewise had the title of the Silver knight ; 
and behaved himself no less worthy of all princely 
commendations than the French champion had done 
the day before. 

The third day St Anthony of Italy was chief chal- 
lenger in the tournament. His tent was the colour of 
the skies, his steed furnished with costly habiliments, 
his armour after the fashion of Barbary, his shield 
plated round about with steel, whereon was painted a 
golden eagle in a field of blue, which signified the 
ancient arms of Rome ;. he had likewise the title of the 
Azure knight, and his matchless chivalry for that day, 
won the prize from all the Grecian knights. 

The fourth day, by the emperor's appointment, the 
worthy knight St Andrew of Scotland obtained the 
honour to be the chief challenger for the tournament; 
his tent was framed to represent a ship swimming upon 
the waves of the sea. environed by dolphins, tritons. 
and many strangely contrived mermaids ; upon the top 



FIFTH AND SIXTH DAYS. 109 

stood the picture of Neptune, the god of the sea, 
bearing iu his hand a streamer, whereon was wrought, 
in crimson silk, a corner cross, which seemed to be his 
country's arms ; he was called the Red knight, because 
his horse was covered with a bloody veil ; his worthy 
achievements obtained such favour in the emperor's 
eyes, that he threw him his silver gauntlet, which was 
prized at a thousand sequins; and after his noble 
encounters, he enjoyed a sweet repose. 

The fifth day St Patrick of Ireland, as chief cham- 
pion, entered the lists upon an Irish palfrey, covei'ed with 
a veil of green, attended by six sylvan knights, every 
one bearing upon his shoulder a blooming tree; his 
tent resembled a summer bower, at the entry whereof 
stood the picture of Flora, beautified with a wreath of 
sweet-smelling roses; he was named the Green knight; 
and his worthy prowess so daunted the defendants, that 
before the tournament began, they gave him the hon- 
our of the day. 

Upon the sixth day the heroic and noble-minded 
champion of Wales entered the lists upon a Tartar 
palfrey, covered with a veil of black to signify that a 
black and tragical day should befall those Grecian 
knights that durst test his fortitude : his tent was 
pitched in the form of a castle, in the west side of the 
lists; before the entry thereof hung a golden shield, 
whereon was pourtrayed a silver griffin rampant upon 
a golden helmet, which signified the ancient arms of 
Britain. His princely achievements not only obtained 
due commendation at the emperor's hands, but from 
the whole assembly of the Grecian ladies, who ap- 
plauded him as the most noble knight that ever 



110 9BYKHTH AND LAST DAY. 

"e. and the most fortunate champion tl 
ever entered the Grecian court. 

Upon the seventh and la- : this honourable 

tournament, the famous and valiant knight at arms, 
Si George of England, as chief challe: 

a upon a sable- :1 steed, betrapped with 

of burnished gold, his forehead beautified with a gor T 
geous plume of purple feather 

is armour was of the purest L; :Iian 
steel, nailed fast together with silver plates, his helmet 
engraven very curiously, beset with Indian pearl and 

per ; tones; before his breast-plate hv Qver 

tablet in a damask scarf, whereon was pictured a lion 
rampant in a bloody field, bearing three crowns upon 
its head: be: tood an ivory chariot, guarded 

by twelve coal-black negroes: in which his beloved 
lady and mistress, Sahra, sat upon a silver globe to 
behold the heroic encounters of her most noble 
magnanimous champion, St George of England; Ida 
tent was as v>hite a? :Lr swan's feathers, glittering 
against the sun. supported by four elephants formed 
of the purest brass; from his helmet hung his lady's 

ve, which he wore to maintain her excellent gifts of 

.ire to exceed those of all ladies on the earth. 
These costly habiliments ravished the beholders with 
such unspeakable pleasure, that they stood gazing 
him. not able to withdraw their eyes I aaly 

a sight. Bu: when they beheld his victorious encounter 
against the Grecian knights, they supposed him tc 
the invincible tamer of that seven headed monster whi 
climbed to the elements, offering to pi si from 

his throne. His steed never gave d to any 



HAPPY MEETING OF THE SEVEN CHAMPIONS. Ill 

knight, but lie tumbled horse and man to the ground, 
where they lay for a time bereft of sense. The tour- 
nament lasted that day from the rising of the sun till 
the shining evening star appeared; in which time he 
conquered five hundred of the hardiest knights then 
living in Asia, and shivered a thousand lances, to the 
wonderful admiration of the beholders. 

Thus were the seven days brought to an end by the 
seven worthy champions of Christendom ; in reward of 
whose noble achievements, the Grecian emperor, being 
a man that highly favoured knightly proceedings, gave 
them a golden tree with seven branches, to be divided 
equally amongst them. This honourable prize they 
conveyed to St George's pavilion, where, in dividing 
the branches, the seven champions discovered them- 
selves to each other, and related by what good fortune 
they had arrived at the Grecian court ; and this long- 
wished meeting so rejoiced their hearts, that they all 
accounted this happy day the most joyful that ever 
they beheld. And now, after the tournament was 
fully ended, and the knights had rested themselves some 
few days, recovering their wonted agility of body, 
they fell into a new exercise of pleasure, not appearing 
in glittering armour before the tilt, nor following the 
loud sounding drums and silver trumpets, but spending 
the time in courtly dances amongst their beloved ladies 
in more royalty than the Phrygian knights when they 
presented the autocrat of Asia with an enchanted mask. 
But their courtly pleasures did not long continue; for 
they were suddenly dashed with certain news of open 
war proclaimed against all Christendom: which hap- 
pened contrary to the expectation of the Christian 



112 WAB DECLARED AGAINST CHRISTENDOM. 

knights. There arrived in the Grecian emperor's 
palace a hundred heralds, from a hundred different 
provinces, who proclaimed utter defiance to all Chris- 
tian kingdoms in these words : 

'•We, the high and mighty emperors of Asia and 
Africa, great commanders both by land and sea. 
proclaim, by general consent of all the eastern poten- 
tates, utter ruin and destruction to the kingdoms of 
Christendom, and to all those nations where any 
Christian knights are harboured : first. The Soldan of 
Persia, in revenge of a bloody slaughter done in his 
palace, by an English champion ; Ptolemy, the Egyp- 
tian king, in revenge of his daughter violently taken 
away by the same knight ; Almidor, the black king of 
Morocco, in revenge of his queen, likewise taken away 
by the said English champion ; the great governor of 
Thessaly. in revenge of his daughters, taken away by a 
French knight ; the king of Jerusalem, in revenge of 
his daughter, taken away by a Spanish knight; the Em- 
peror of Tartary, in revenge of his sou. Count Palatine, 
slain by the unhappy hand of the champion of "Wales ; 
the Thracian monarch, in revenge of his vain travel 
after his seven daughters, now in custody of certain 
Christian knights : and in revenge of all which injuries. 
the kingdoms from the farthest parts of Prester John's 
dominions to the borders of the Red Sea, have set down 
their hands and seals to assist in this war." 

This proclamarion was no sooner ended, than the 

Grecian emperor gave command to muster the greatest 

strength mat Greece could afford, to join with the 

igans, to the utter ruin and confusion of Chris* 

tendom : which bloody edict, or rather inhuman judg- 



DEPARTURE OP THE CHAMPIONS. 113 

merit, pronounced by the accursed infidels, compelled 
the Christian champions to a speedy departure, and 
every one to hasten to his own country, there to pro- 
vide for the discomfiture of the pagans. So after due 
consideration, the champions departed, in company 
of their betrothed ladies, who chose rather to live in 
their husbands' bosoms, than with their unbelieving 
parents. After some few days they arrived in the 
spacious bay of Portugal, in which haven they vowed, 
by the honour of true knighthood, to meet again within 
six months, there to join all their Christian armies into 
one legion. Upon which plighted resolution, the 
worthy champions departed one from another: St 
George into England, St Denis into France, St James 
into Spain, St Anthony into Italy, St Andrew into 
Scotland, St Patrick into Ireland, St David into Wales. 
Whose pleasant plains they had not beheld for many 
years, and where their reception was as honourable as 
their hearts desired. 



CHAPTER XII. 



How the seven champions of Christendom arrived with all their troops in 
the bay of Portugal. The number of the Christian host. And how St 
George made an oration to the soldiers. 

After the seven champions of Christendom arrived in 
their native countries, and by true reports had blazed 
abroad to every prince's ear the bloody resolutions of 
the pagans, and how the provinces of Africa and Asia 
had mustered their forces for the invasion of Europe; 
all Christian kings, at the entreaty of the champions, 



114 ST GEORGE APPOINTED COMMANDER. 

appointed mighty armies of well-approved soldiers, 

both by sea and land, to defeat the infidels' wicked 
intention. By the consent of Christendom, the noble 
and fortunate champion of England, St George, was 
appointed general-in-chief and principal leader of the 
armies, and the other six champions were elected as his 
council, and chief assistants in all matters that apper- 
tained either to the benefit of Christendom, or the 
furtherance of their proceedings. 

This war so fired the hearts of many youthful 
gentlemen, and so encouraged the minds of every 
common soldier, that some mortgaged their lands. 
and at their own charges furnished themselves : some 
sold their patrimonies to serve in these honourable 
wars ; and others forsook parents, kindred, wife, 
ids, and acquaintances, and without con- 
straint, offered themselves to follow so noble a gei 
as the renowned champion of E and to spend 

their blood in the just quarrel of their native country. 

To be brief, one might behold the streets of every 
town and city throughout Europe, enlivened with 
troops of soldiers, who thirsted after fame and honour. 
Tnen the joyful sound of thunc frums. and the 

echoes of silver trumpets, summoned them to arms; and 
they followed with as much willingness as the Grecians 
followed Agamemnon to the overthrow of Troy. The 
spring, which had now covered the earth with a new 
livery, was the time appointed for the Christian armies 
to meet in Portugal, there to join their several troops 
into one legion; the champions therefore bade adieu to 
their native countries, and with all speed buckled on 
their armour, hoisted their sails, and after a short 



CONCENTRATION OF THE ARMIES. 115 

time, a calm and prosperous gale cast them happily in 
the bay of Portugal. 

The first who arrived in that spacious haven was the 
noble champion St George, with one hundred thousand 
courageous English soldiers, whose forwardness be- 
tokened success, and their willing minds a joyful victory. 
His army set in battle array seemed to outrival the 
number of the Macedonian soldiers, wherewith valiant 
Alexander conquered the western world; his horsemen 
being in number twenty thousand, were armed in black 
corselets; their lances bound about with plates of steel, 
their steeds covered with mail, three times doubled; 
their colours were the blood-red cross, supported by a 
golden lion: his sturdy bowmen, whose conquering 
gray goose wing in former times had terrified the earth, 
being in number likewise twenty thousand, clad all in 
red mandilions, with caps of the same colour, bearing 
thereon likewise a silver cross, being the badge 
of honour of England; their bows of the strongest y.ew, 
and their arrows of the soundest ash, with forked heads 
of steel, and their feathers bound on with green wax 
and twisted silk: his musqueteers, being in number ten 
thousand, their muskets of the widest bore, with fire- 
locks wrought by curious workmanship, yet of such 
wonderful lightness, that they required no rest at all 
to ease their arms: his cavaliers were ten thousand of 
the smaller-sized men, but yet of as courageous 
minds as the tallest soldiers in his army: his pike and 
bill men to guard the ensigns, thirty thousand, clad 
all in glittering armour: likewise followed ten thousand 
labouring pioneers, to undermine any town or castle, 
to entrench forts or camps, or to make a passage 



1 1 6 ARRIVAL OF ST DAVID AND ST PATRICK. 

through hills and mountains like worthy Hannibal, 
when he made a way for his soldiers through the lofty 
Alps, that divide the countries of Italy and Spain. 

The next that arrived in the bay of Portugal was the 
princely-minded champion, St David of Wales, with 
an army of fifty thousand true-born Britons, furnished 
with all habiliments of war for so noble and valiant a 
service, to the high renown of his country, and true 
honour of his race: their armour in richness was 
nothing inferior to the Englishmen; their colours were a 
golden cross, supported by a silver griffin; which escut- 
cheon signified the ancient arms of Wales: and no 
sooner had St George a sight of the valiant Britons, 
than he caused his musqueteers to salute them with a 
volley of shot, to express their joyful welcome on shore. 
And no sooner were the skies cleared from the smoke 
of the reeking powder, and St George discerned the 
magnanimous champion of Wales, who rode upon a 
milk-white palfrey in silver armour, guarded by a train 
of knights in purple vestures, than he greeted St David 
with kind courtesies, and accompanied him to the 
English tent, which had been erected close by the port, 
where for that night these two champions remained,, 
spending the time in unspeakable pleasure: and 
upon the next day, St David departed to his own tent, 
which he had caused to be pitched a quarter of a league 
from the English army. 

The next that arrived on the fruitful shores of Por- 
tugal was St Patrick, the noble champion of Ireland, 
with an army likewise of fifty thousand, attired after a 
strange and wonderful manner: their furniture was of 
the skins of wild beasts, but yet more unpierceable 



ARRIVAL OF ST ANDREW. 117 

than the strongest armour of proof. They bore in their 
hands mighty darts, tipped at the end with prickling 
steel, which the courageous and valiant Irish soldiers, 
by the agility of their arms, could throw a full flight 
shot, and with forcible strength would strike three or 
four inches into an oak. 

These hardy soldiers no sooner arrived on shore, than 
the English musqueteers gave them a princely welcome, 
and conducted the noble-minded St Patrick to the Eng- 
lish tent, where the three champions of England, Wales, 
and Ireland, passed the time laying down plans how 
to pitch their camps to the greatest disadvantage of 
the unbelieving enemy, and resolving which way they 
should march, and such-like devices, for their own 
safety, and the benefit of Christendom. 

The next that landed on the shores of Portugal 
was St Andrew, the worthy champion of Scotland, 
with threescore thousand well-approved soldiers; his 
horsemen, the old adventurous Galloways, clad in 
quilted jackets, with lances of the Turkish fashion, 
thick and short, bearing upon their beavers the arms 
of Scotland, which was a corner cross, supported by a 
young girl; his pikemen, the bold and hardy men of 
Orcady,who continually lie upon freezing mountains, icy 
rocks, and snowy valleys; together with the light-footed 
Caledonians, who, if occasion be, can climb the highest 
hills, andfornimbleness in running, outdo the swift-footed 
stag. These bold adventurous Scottish men, deserved 
as much honour at the English champion's hands as any 
other nation; therefore he commanded his men, on 
their landing, to give them a noble reception, which 
they did, and conducted St Andrew to the English tent, 



118 AEKIYAL OF THE OTHER CHAMPIONS. 

who, after he had given St George the courtesy of his 

country, departed to his tent. ...t from 

the English tent a mile. 

The next that arrived was St A pi i 

of Italy, with a band of fourscore th rare Itali 

soldiers, mounted on warlike coursers ; every horsen 
attended by a negro, bearing in his hand a strea 
azure silk, with the arms of It hi set in gold ; 

every footman furnished with approved furniture in as 
stately a manner as th rod they at their 

landing received as royal areception as the other nations, 
and St Anthony was as highly honoured by the Engli 
champion as any of the other Christian k;.i 

The next that arrived was St Denis, the victorious 
champion of France, with a band of fourscore thou- 
sand With him m slve sevi 
provinces, then under the government of the French 
king, every one at his own cost maintaining two 
thousand soldiers in these Christian wars : their recq 
tion was as glorious as the res 

The last of the Chi: impions that arrived 

upon the fruitful shores of Portugal was the mag lani- 
ruous knight St James of Spain, with a band likewise 
of fourscore thousand; to maintain soldiers in defence 
of Christendom, he brongh I with him from the Spa:, 
mines ten tons of refined gold; 
landed his troops, than the si:: ihampiohs gave him the 
honourable welcome c lier, and ordained a solemn 

banquet for the general armies, whose number excee 
five hundred thousand; these legions they conjoii 
into one royal camp, and placed their wings and 
rons in order of battle, chiefly by direction of St 



ST GEORGE HARANGUES THE TROOPS. 119 

George, the general-in-chief, by the consent of the 
Christian kings; whose countenance, after he had re- 
viewed the Christian armies, seemed to prognosticate a 
glorious victory, and to foretell a fatal overthrow to 
the unbelieving potentates ; and, still more to encour- 
age his valiant followers to persevere in their determina- 
tion, he pronounced this princely oration : 

"You men of Europe," said he, "and my country- 
men, whose conquering fortunes never yet have feared 
the enemies of Christ, you see we have forsaken our 
native lands, and committed our destinies to the queen 
of heaven, not to fight in any unjust quarrel, but 
in the true cause of Israel's Anointed; not against 
nature to climb to the heavens, like Nimrod and the 
giants in former times, but to prevent the invasion of 
Christendom, the ruin of Europe, and the intended 
overthrow of the Christian provinces. The bloody- 
minded infidels have mustered legions, in numbers 
like blades of grass that grow upon the flourishing 
downs of Italy, or the stars of heaven in the coldest 
winter's night, threatening to deluge our countries 
with seas of blood, scatter our streets with mangled 
limbs, and convert our glorious cities into flames of 
quenchless fire ; therefore, dear countrymen, live not 
to see our Christian maidens dragged along our streets 
like guiltless lambs to a bloody slaughter; nor our 
harmless babes, with bruised brains dashed against 
flinty stones ; nor our feeble age, whose hair resembles 
silver mines, lie bleeding on the marble pavement ; but 
like true Christian soldiers fight in the quarrel of your 
countries. What though the Pagans be in number 
ten to one, yet heaven I know will fight for Christen- 



1 SO ENTHUSIASM OF THE SOLDIERS. 

doro, and cast them down before our faces, like drops 
of April showers. Be not dismayed to see their 
martial array, nor fear when you beliold their streamers 
hovering in the wind, that their steeled pikes, like 
to a thorny forest, will overspread whole countries : 
thousands of them I know will have no heart to fight, 
but fly with cowardly fear, iike flocks of sheep before 
the greedy wolf. I, who am the leader of your noble 
minds, never fought in vain, nor ever entered battle but 
to return with conquest. Let every one with me 
join in this princely resolution : 'For Christendom we 
fight ; for Christendom we live and die.' " 

This soldier-like oration was no sooner finished, than 
the whole army, with a general voice, cried, "To arms, 
to arms, with victorious George of England !" which 
noble resolution of the soldiers so rejoiced the English 
champion, and so encouraged the other Christian 
knights, that they gave speedy command to remove 
their tents, and to march with easy journeys towards 
Tripoli in Barbary, where Almidor, the black king of 
Morocco, had residence; in which travel we must 
leave for a while the Christian army, and speak of the 
innumerable troops of Pagan knights that arrived in 
the kingdom of Hungary, and how they fell at variance 
in the election of a general ; which civil mutiny caused 
much effusion of blood, to the great hurt both of Africa 
and of Asia, 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Of the dissension and discord that happened amongst the army of the Pagans 
in Hungary. The battle between the Christians and the Moors, in 
Barbary; and how Almidor, the black king of Morocco, was scalded 
to death in a caldron of boiling lead and brimstone. 

The ireful Pagans, after they had levied their martial 
forces both by sea and land, repaired to their general 
place of meeting, there to resolve upon the utter ruin 
of Christendom : for no sooner had winter withdrawn 
his chill frost from the earth, and Flora taken possession 
of his place, than the kingdom of Hungary suffered 
excessive penury, from the numberless armies of ac- 
cursed infidels, having there appointed their place of 
meeting : for though Hungary, of all other countries, 
then was the richest and most plenty in victuals to 
maintain a camp, yet it was mightily overpressed, and 
greatly burdened with multitudes, and not only in 
want of necessaries to relieve soldiers, but those bloody 
miscreants, through a civil discord about the election 
of a general, converted their union into a most inhuman 
slaughter, and their hope of victory to a dismal 
tragedy: and their legions had no sooner arrived on the 
plains of Algernos, than the king of Hungary caused 
their muster rolls to be publicly read and numbered, 
in the hearing of the Pagan knights, and in this manner 
proclaimed through the camp. 

First, Be it known unto all nations that fight in the 
quarrels of Africa and Asia, under the conduct of our 
three great gods Mohammed, Tarmagant, and Apollo, 
what invincible forces have now arrived in this re- 
nowned kingdom of Hungary, a land honoured through 



122 PROCLAMATION OF THE KING OF HUNGARY. 

the world, not only for arms, but curious buildings, 
and endowed with all manner of riches. 

Second, We have from the emperor of Constanti- 
nople, two hundred thousand. Prom the emperor of 
Greece, two hundred and fifty thousand. From the 
emperor of Tartary, a hundred three score and three 
thousand. From the Soldan of Persia, two hundred 
thousand. From the king of Jerusalem, four hundred 
thousand. Of Moors, one hundred and twenty thou- 
sand. Of coal-black Negroes, one hundred and 
forty thousand. Of Arabians, one hundred and sixty 
thousand. Of Babylonians, one hundred and thirty 
thousand and odd. Of Armenians, one hundred and 
fifty thousand. Of Macedonians, two hundred and 
ten thousand. Of Syracusians, fifteen thousand six 
hundred. Of Hungarians, three hundred and six 
thousand. Of Sicilians, seven thousand three hun- 
dred. Of Scythians, one hundred and five thousand. 
Of Parthians, ten thousand three hundred. Of Phry- 
gians, seven thousand three hundred. Of Ethiopians, 
sixty thousand. Of Thracians, fourscore thousand. 
Likewise from the provinces of Prester John, three 
thousand unconquered knights, with many more from 
other petty dominions and dukedoms, whose numbers I 
omit, lest I should seem over-tedious to the reader. 

But to conclude, such a camp of armed soldiers ar- 
rived in Hungary, as might in one month have de- 
stroyed Christendom, had not God defended it from 
those barbarous nations, and by his invincible power 
confounded the pagans in their own practices : for no 
sooner had the heralds proclaimed through the camp 
what a number of nations had joined in arms together 



DISCORD IN THE CAMP. 123 

than the soldiers fell into dissension about the election 
of a general : some vowed to follow none but the king 
of Jerusalem ; some Ptolemy the Egyptian king ; and 
some the Solclan of Persia, and all resolved either to 
persevere in their own choice, or to lose their lives in 
the quarrel. 

Thus parts were taken on all sides, not only by the 
meaner sorts, but by leaders and commanders of bands ; 
whereby the kings and potentates were forced to com- 
mit their wills to their soldiers' pleasure. This civil 
broil so discouraged the whole armj, that many with- 
drew their forces and marched homewards, as the 
king of Morocco, and his tawny Moors, and coal- 
black Negroes : the Soldan of Persia, Ptolemy the 
Egyptian king, the kings of Arabia and Jerusalem, 
also departed to their own countries, cursing that they 
had attempted so vain an enterprise. The rest, not 
minding to put up with abuse, fell from brawling 
boasts to downright blows ; which continued without 
ceasing for the space of three days, in which encounters 
the murdered infidels, like scattered corn, overspread 
the fields of Hungary ; the fruitful valleys lay drowned 
in purple gore; the fields of corn were consumed with 
flames of fire; and the towns and cities ruined with 
wasting war ; wherein fathers were sad witnesses of 
their children's slaughter, and sons beheld their parents' 
reverend hairs, more white than tried silver, besmeared 
with clotted blood. 

Meanwhile the seven worthy champions of Christen- 
dom had entered Barbary, before Almidor, the black 
king of Morocco, with his scattered troops of Moors 
and Negroes returned from Hungary, and by fire and 



124 THE CHRISTIANS DEFEAT ALMIDOR. 

sword had wasted many of the chief towns and forts, 
whereby the country was much weakened, and the 
people compelled to sue for mercy at the champions' 
hands, who, having true Christian minds, and within 
their hearts continually harbouring pity, vouchsafed 
to grant mercy to those that yielded their lives to the 
pleasure of the Christian knights ; but when St George 
had intelligence of Aimidor's approach with his weak- 
ened troops, he prepared his soldiers to give the 2\Ioors 
a bloody banquet, which was the next morning per- 
formed by break of day, to the high honour of Christen- 
dom. The night before, however, the Moors, knowing 
the country better than the Christians, got the advan- 
tage both of wind and sun ; whereat. St George being 
something dismayed yet not discouraged, emboldened 
his soldiers with many heroic speeches, proffering them 
frankly the enemy's spoils, and so at the sun's rising 
they entered battle, when the Moors fell before the 
Christians' swords as ears of corn before the reaper's 
sickle. 

During this conflict, the seven champions, still in the 
very front of the battle, so adventurously behaved them- 
selves that they slew more negroes than a hundred of 
the bravest knights in the Christian armies. At last, 
Fortune intending to make St George's prowess shine 
brighter than the rest, singled out the Morocco king, 
betwixt whom and the English champion was a long 
and dangerous fight ; but St George behaved himself 
so courageously with his trusty sword, that Almidor 
was constrained to yield to his mercy. The army of 
the Moors, seeing their king taken prisoner, would 
have fled, but the Christians, being lighter of foot, 



ALMIDOR CONDEMNED TO DEATH. 125 

overtook them, and made the greatest slaughter of 
them that ever happened in Barbary. 

Thus after the battle ended, and the joyful sound of 
victory rang through the Christian army, the soldiers 
enriched themselves with the enemy's spoils, and 
marched, by St George's direction, to the city of Tri- 
poli, then almost depopulated through the late slaughter 
there made : where after having rested some days, and 
refreshed themselves with wholesome food, the English 
champion, in revenge of his former injuries from the 
king of Morocco, determined to put him to death. 

First, he commanded a brazen caldron to be 
filled with boiling lead and brimstone, then Almidor 
to be brought to the place of death by twelve of the 
noblest peers in Barbary, and therein to be consumed, 
within seven days following. The brazen caldron 
was erected, by the appointment of St George, in the 
middle of the chief market-place, under which a mighty 
fire continually burned for the space of eight-and-forty 
hours. 

Now all things being thus in readiness, and the Chris- 
tian champions present to behold the woful spectacle, 
the condemned Blackmoor king came to the place of exe- 
cution in a shirt of fine Indian silk, his hands pinioned 
together with a chain of gold, and his face covered 
with a damask scarf; his attendants and chief conduc- 
tors, twelve Moorish peers, clad in sable gowns of 
taffeta, carrying before him the wheel of Fortune, with 
a picture of a monarch vaunting, and this motto on 
his breast, " I will be king in spite of Fortune ;'' upon 
the top of the wheel the picture of a deposed potentate, 
falling with his head downwards, with this motto on 



126 ALMIDOR BEGS FOR HIS LIFE 

his breast, "I have been king while it pleased Fortune:'' 
which plainly signified the chances of war, and of in- 
constant destiny. His guard was a hundred Christian 
soldiers, holding Fortune in disdain : after them at- 
tended a hundred Morocco virgins in black ornaments, 
their hair bound up with silver wires, and covered with 
veils of black silk, signifying the sorrow of their 
country for the loss of their sovereign. In this 
mournful manner came the unfortunate Almidor to 
the boiling caldron ; which, when he approached, his 
heart waxed cold, and his tongue w r as devoid of 
utterance for a time; at last he broke forth into 
earnest protestations, proffering more for his life than 
the whole kingdom of Barbary could afford. 

" Most mighty and invincible champion of Christen- 
dom," quoth he, "let my life be ransomed, and thou 
shalt yearly receive ten tons of tried gold, five hundred 
webs of woven silk, and a hundred ships of spices and 
refined sugar shall be yearly paid thee by our Barbary 
merchants ; a hundred waggons, likewise, laden with 
pearl and jaspar stones, which by our cunning lapi- 
daries shall be yearly chosen, shall be sent thee 
to England, to make that blessed country the richest 
within the dominions of Europe ; I wall likewise de- 
liver up my diadem, w r ith all my princely dignities, and 
in company of the Morocco lords, like bridled horses, 
draw thee daily in a silver chariot up and down the 
circled earth, till death put an end to our lives' pil- 
grimage; therefore, most admired knight at arms, 
let these salt tears, that trickle from the conduits of 
my eyes, obtain one grant of comfort at thy hands, for 
on my bended knees I beg for my life, that never 
before this time did kneel to mortal man." 



ST GEORGE OFFERS CONDITIONS. 127 

" Thon speakest in vain," replied St George : u not 
all the treasures hidden in the deepest seas, nor all the 
golden mines of rich America, shall redeem thy life : 
ihou knowest, accursed villain, thy wicked practices 
in the Egyptian court, where thou attemptedst wrong- 
fully to deprive me of my life. Through thy treachery 
I endured a long imprisonment in Persia, where for 
seven years I drank foul channel water, and satisfied 
my hunger with bread of bran-meal; my food was 
loathsome flesh of rats and mice, and my resting-place 
a dismal dungeon, where neither sun nor the cheerful 
light of heaven lent me comfort during my long-con- 
tinued misery : for which inhuman dealing, and cruel 
injuries, the heavens enforce me to a speedy revenge, 
which shall be thus accomplished. 

" Thou seest the torments prepared for thee, this 
brazen caldron filled with boiling lead and brimstone, 
wherein thy accursed body shall be speedily cast, and 
boiled till thy detested limbs be consumed to a watery 
substance in the sparkling liquor: therefore prepare 
thyself for death, and willingly bid all thy kingly 
dignities farewell : but yet I let thee understand that 
mercy harbours in a Christian's heart, and where 
mercy dwells, there faults are forgiven, upon showing 
humble penitence : and though thy trespasses deserve 
no pity, but severe punishment, yet upon these condi- 
tions I will grant thee life and liberty : 

" First, That thou wilt forsake thy gods, Tarmagant 
and Apollo, which are the vain imagination of men, 
and believe in our true and ever-living God, under 
whose banner we Christians have undertaken this long 
war. Secondly, thou shalt give commandment that all 



128 CONSTANCY OF ALMIDOR. 

thy barbarous nations be christened in the faith of 
Christ. Thirdly and lastly, that thy three kingdoms 
of Barbary, Morocco, and India, swear true allegiance 
to all Christian kings, and never to bear arms, but in 

the true quarrel of Christ and his anointed nations. 
These things duly observed, thy life shall be preserved, 
and thy liberty obtained, otherwise look for no mercy, 
but a speedy and most terrible death." 

These words displeased the unchristian king of 
Morocco more than the sentence of his condemnation ; 
whereupon he thus briefly expressed his resolution : 

" Great potentate of Europe," replied Almidor, 
"by whose mightiness Fortune sits fettered in the 
chains of power, my golden diadem and regal sceptre 
by constraint I must deliver up. But before I will 
forsake my country's gods, I will endure a hundred 
deaths ; and before my conscience be reconciled to a 
new faith, the earth shall be no earth, the sea no sea, 
the heaven no heaven. Thiukest thou now, proud 
Christian, by thy threatened torments, to make me 
forget my Creator, and believe in thy God, the supposed 
king of the Jews, basely born under an ox's stall? 
No, no, accursed Christians, you offspring of Cain, 
you generation of IshrnaeL, you seed of vipers, and 
accursed through the world, look for a speedy shower 
of vengeance to rain from heaven upon your wicked 
nations. Your bloody practices have pierced the 
battlements of Jove, and your tyrannies beaten open 
the gate of mighty Mohammed, who has provided 
whips of burning wire to scourge you for your cruelties 
to his blessed worshippers. Now with this deadly 
curse I bid you all farewell: the plagues of Egypt 



POPULARITY OF THE CHAMPIONS. 129 

light upon your kingdom, the curse of Cain upon your 
children, the famine of Jerusalem upon your friends, 
and the misery of (Edipus upon yourselves." 

This resolution and wicked curse were no sooner 
ended by the desperately-minded Almidor, than the 
impatience of St George was so highly moved, that he 
gave command to the appointed executioners to cast 
him into the boiling caldron; which they did immediately, 
to the terror of all the beholders. To see this woful 
spectacle, the battlements of the temple were thronged 
with people, the houses covered with women and chil- 
dren, and the streets filled with armed soldiers. Amongst 
the multitude there were some particular persons, who, 
at the sight of Alrnidor's death, fell down and broke 
their necks ; but the greater number, of pagans as well 
as Christians, cried with cheerful voices, "Honour 
and victory follow St George of England, for he hath 
redeemed Barbary from a miserable servitude !" Which 
joyful cry so delighted the seven champions of Christen- 
dom, that they caused the conduits to run with wine, 
the streets to be beautified with bonfires, and a sumptu- 
ous banquet to be proclaimed through the city, which 
continued for seven days, in more magnificent royalty 
than the banquet of Babylon, when the Macedonian 
monarch returned, from the world's conquest. 

The champions' liberality inspired such faithful lcve 
in the hearts of the peers of Morocco, that with general 
consent they chose St George for their lawful king ; 
and after they had invested him in the princely seat of 
the deceased potentate, they set the crown upon his 
head, and presented him with an imperial pall, which 
the kings of Barbary usually wore upon their corona- 

K 



130 CONVERSION OF THE INFIDELS. 

tion day ; protesting to forsake their profane religion, 
and requesting to be christened in the faith of Christ. 

This promised conversion of the infidels more highly 
delighted the English champion than if he had the 
whole world's honour at command; for it was the chief 
point of his knightly oath to advance the faith of Christ, 
and to enlarge the bounds of Christendom. After his 
coronation was solemnly performed, the other six 
champions conducted him to a princely palace, where he 
took the allegiance of the Morocco lords, by plighted 
oaths to be true to his crown. After this, he established 
Christian laws for the benefit of the whole country ; 
then he commanded all the ceremonious rites of 
Mohammed to be trodden under foot, and the true 
gospel of Christ to be preached: he likewise caused all 
who remained in Barbary to be christened in the new 
faith. But these observances continued but for a 
time, as shall be shown hereafter. For Fame, not 
intending to let the worthy champions remain long in 
the idle bowers of peace, summoned them to persevere 
in their noble achievements, and to muster anew their 
soldiers, whose armour cankered ease had almost 
stained with rust ; therefore St George committed the 
government of the country to four of the principal peers 
of Morocco, and marched towards the country of Egypt, 
where lived the treacherous Ptolemy, father of his be- 
loved lady Sabra, whom he had left in the kingdom of 
England. Cn which journey and happy arrival in 
Egypt, we will leave the seven champions for a time, 
and speak of the faithless infidels in Barbary, after the 
departure of the Christians, whose former leniency they 
slightly regarded: for no sooner had St George, with 



CRUELTY OF THE MOOES. 131 

liis martial troops, bidden their country adieu, than the 
faithless Moors reconciled themselves to their former 
gods, and purposed a speedy revenge for the death of 
Almidor, against all Christians who remained within 
the limits of their heathen nation : for there were many 
soldiers wounded in the late battle, and a number 
oppressed with sickness, whom the Christian champions 
had left behind for their better recovery ; upon these 
the barbarous Moors committed their first tyranny ; for 
they caused the distressed soldiers to be drawn upon 
sledges to the uppermost parts of the city, and there, 
having put them into a large old monastery, they set 
it on fire, and inhumanly burned the Christian sol- 
diers, converting the place into a filthy laystall : many 
women and helpless children they dragged up and down 
the streets, till their brains were dashed against the 
stones, and the blood had covered the earth with a 
purple hue. Many other cruelties were committed by 
the wicked infidels against the distressed Christians, 
which I purpose to pass over, and intend to discourse 
of the proceedings of the Christian champions, who by 
this time had arrived in the kingdom of Egypt. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



How the Christians arrived in Egypt, and -what happened to them there. 
The tragedy of the Earl ot Coventry. How Sabra was bound to a stake 
to be burnt; and how St George released her. Lastly, how the 
Egyptian king cast himself from the top of a tower and broke his 
neck from grief for Sabra. 

The champions of Christendom no sooner arrived in 
the territories of Egypt, where they intended to have 



132 TERROR OF THE EGYPTIANS. 

ventured their lives on the chances of war, than all 
things happened contrary to their expectation; they 
found the gates of every village and town depopulated; 
for the people, at the report of the Christians' arrival, 
secretly hid their treasure in the caves of the earth, in 
deep wells and such like obscure places, and a general 
fear and extreme terror assailed the Egyptians, the 
peers of the land as well as the simple country people: 
many fled into woods and wildernesses, and closely hid 
themselves in hollow trees: many digged caves in the 
ground, where they thought best to remain in safety; 
aud many fled to high mountains, where they lived a 
long time in great extremity, feeding upon the grass 
of the ground: so greatly the Egyptians feared the 
army of the Christians, that they expected nothing but 
the ruin of their country, with the loss of their own 
lives, and the murder of their wives and children. 

But to speak of the Christian champions, who, find- 
ing the country desolate of people, suspected some deep 
policy of the Egyptians: therefore St George gave 
command through the whole camp that not a man, 
upon pain of death, should break his rank, but march 
advisedly, with his weapons ready to encounter battle, 
as though the enemies had directly placed themselves 
against them: which special charge the Christian sol- 
diers duly observed, looking neither after the wealth of 
cities, nor the spoil of villages, but circumspectly 
marching, according to their leaders' directions, across 
the country of Egypt, till they approached king 
Ptolemy's court; when the noble champion of England 
in this manner encouraged his followers : 

"Behold," said he, "'you invincible captains of 



ST GEORGE ADDRESSES THE SOLDIERS. 1 33 

Christendom, those cursed towers yonder, where wicked 
Ptolemy keeps his court; those battlements, I say, 
were they as richly built as the great pyramids of 
Greece, yet should they be subverted and laid as level 
to the ground as the city of Carthage; there hath 
that accursed Ptolemy his residence, who for preserving 
his daughter from the burning dragon, treacherously 
sent me into Persia, where for seven years I lived in 
great extremity in a dismal dungeon, where the sun 
never gave me light, nor the company of people com- 
fort ; in revenge whereof, my heart shall never rest 
in quiet, till I see the buildings of his palace set on fire, 
and converted into a place of desolation, like to the 
glorious city in Phrygia, now overspread with stinking 
weeds and loathsome puddles ; therefore let all Chris- 
tian soldiers, who fight under the banner of Christen- 
dom, and all who love George of England, your chosen 
general, draw forth their warlike weapons, and like the 
angry Greeks overturn those glittering battlements ; 
leave not one stone upon another, but lay it as level with 
the ground, as the harvest reapers do fields of 
ripened corn ; let your wrathful fury fall upon these 
towers like drops of April showers, or like storms of 
Winter's hail, that it may be bruited through the 
whole world what just vengeance did light upon the 
pride of Egypt ; leave not, as you love your general, 
when you have destroyed the palace, one man alive, 
no, not a sucking babe, but let them suffer vengeance 
for the wickedness of their king ; this is my decree, 
brave knights of Christendom, therefore march forward ; 
heaven and fortune, be your good speed!" 

At which words the soldiers gave a general shout 



134: SUBMISSION OF THE EGYPTIANS. 

to shew their willing minds. Then began the silken 
streamers to flourish in the air, the drums cheerfully 
to sound forward, the silver trumpets to record echoes 
of victory ; the barbed steeds grew proud of this 
attempt, and would stand upon no ground, but leaped 
and danced with as much courage as did Bucephalus, the 
horse of the Macedonian Alexander, before any notable 
victory; yea, everything gave an evident sign of 
success, senseless things as well as living creatures. 

With this resolution marched the Christians, pur- 
posing the utter confusion of the Egyptians, and the 
ruin and destruction of Ptolemy's sumptuous palace. 
But when the soldiers approached the gates, there 
came pacing out thereat the Egyptian king, with the 
chief of his nobles, attired in black and mournful orna- 
ments, bearing in their hands olive branches; next them 
the bravest soldiers in Egypt, bearing in their hands 
broken weapons, shivered lances, and torn standards ; 
likewise followed thousands of women and children, with 
cypress wreaths about their heads, and in their hands 
olive branches, crying for mercy to the Christians, that 
they should not utterly destroy their declining country, 
but show mercy to unhappy Egypt. This unexpected 
sight, or rather astonishing wonder, caused St George 
to sound a retreat, and give command through the 
Christian army, to withhold their vowed vengeance from 
the Egyptians, till he understood what they required ; 
which charge being given, and duly observed, St 
George with the other six champions came together, 
and admitted the Egyptian king with his nobles to 
their presence, who in this manner began to speak for 
his country. 



SPEECH OF PTOLEMY. 135 

" You uneonquered knights of Christendom, whose 
worthy victories and noble achievements the whole 
world admires, let him who never knelt to any man 
till now, and in former times disdained to humble him- 
self to any potentate on earth ; let him, I say, the most 
unfortunate wretch alive, crave mercy, not for himself? 
but for his country; my peoples' blood will be required 
at my hands ; our murdered infants will call to heaven 
for revenge, and so will the vengeance of heaven light 
upon my soul. 

"Renowned champion of England, under whose 
custody my dear daughter is kept, even for the love of 
her be merciful to Egypt. 

^The former wrongs I offered thee, when I sent thee 
like a guiltless lamb into Persia, were contrary to my 
will ; for I was incensed by the insinuations of that ac- 
cursed Blackmoor king, whose soul for ever be scourged 
with whips of wire, and plagued with the punishment of 
Tantalus. If my life will serve for a just revenge, here 
is my naked breast, let my heart's blood stain some 
Christian's sword, that you may bear the bloody 
witness of my death into Christendom, or let me 
be torn into a thousand pieces by untamed steeds as 
was Hyppolytus. son of Theseus, in his armed 
chariot. 

" Most mighty controllers of the world, command 
the dearest things in Egypt, they are at your pleasure. 
We will forsake our gods, and believe in that God 
whom you commonly adore, for we see that he is the 
true and living God, ours false and hateful in the sight 
of Heaven." 

This penitent lamentation of the Egyptian king 



13 G THE EGYPTIANS ARE CONVERTED. 

caused the Christian champions to relent, bat especially 
St George, who. having a heart beautified with a well- 

Bpring of pit j, not only granted mercy to the whole 

country, but vouchsafed Ptolemy liberty of life, upon 
condition that he would perform what he had promised; 
which was to forsake his false gods, and believe in our 

true God, Christ Jesus. 

This kindness of St George almost overcome Ptolemy 
with iov : and the whole land, both peers and com- 
mens, mure rejoiced at the friendship of the Christians, 
than if they had been made lords of the western world, 
Tne news of this happy onion was bruited in all 
pans of Egypt; and the people, who had fled for 

i into woods and wildernesses, dens and caves, lulls 
and mountains, returned joyfully to their own dwelt 
ings ; and caused bonfires to be made in every city, 
town, and village: the bells of Egypt rang cay and 
night, for me space of a week; in every place were 
seen banqueting, dancing, and masking ; sorrow was 
banished, wars forgotten, and peace proclaimed. 

The king at his own charge ordered a sumptuous 
and costly banquet for the Cnristian champions, which 
for bounty exceeded that which the Trojans mad-. 
when Paris returned from Greece with mm conquest of 
Menelaus' queen. These pleasures so delighted the 
Christian champions, that they forgot the sound of 
warlike drams, which were wont to call them forth to 
bloody battles. But these rejoicings continued only a 
short time, for there arrived a knight from England, 
who brought unexpected news to St George, thai 
changed his joy into extreme sorrow ; for thus began 
the messenger to tell his woful tale : 



DAS GEE OF SABRA. 137 

" Fair England's champion," said be, Ci instead of 
arms, get swallow's wings and fly to England, if tliou 
wouldst see thy beloved lady, for she is judged to be 
burned at a stake for murdering the Earl of Coventry ; 
who would have stained her honour with infamy, and 
made her the scorn of virtuous women: yet this mercy 
is granted by the king of England, that if within 
twelve months a champion be found, who for her sake 
will venture his life, if it be his fortune to overcome 
the challenger of her death, she shall live : but if it 
be his fatal destiny to be conquered, then must she 
suffer the heavy judgment before pronounced ; there- 
fore, as you love the life of your chaste and beloved 
lady, hasten into England, delay not, for delay is 
dangerous, and her life is in hazard." 

This ill news struck such terror to St George's 
heart, and to the Egyptian king her father, that for a 
time they stood gazing in each other's faces, as though 
they had been bereaved of their wits, and unable to 
speak one word ; but at last St George recovered his 
senses, and breathed forth this sorrowful lamentation : 

" O England ! unkind England ! have I ventured 
my life in thy cause, and for thy defence have lain in 
the field of Mars, buckled on my armour on many a 
parching summer's day, and many a freezing winter's 
night, when you have taken your quiet sleep on bed 
of down ; and will you repay me with this discourtesy, 
to adjudge her spotless body to consuming fire ? whose 
blood, if it be spilt before I come, I vow never to draw 
my trusty sword in England's quarrel more, nor ever 
account myself her champion; but I will wander in 
unknown countries, hiding myself from any Christian 



133 the knight's btoby. 

eye. Is it possible that England can be so un- 
grateful to her friend? Can that renowned country 
harbour such a monster, as to seek to dishonour her. 
within whose heart the fountain of virtue springs? or 
can that noble city, the nurse and mother of my life, 
entertain so vile a homicide, as will offer violence to 
her, whose chastity and true honour have caused tame- 
less lions to sleep in her lap ?" 

In this sorrowful manner St George passed the time 
away, until the Egyptian king, whose sorrow was as 
great as his, put him from his complaints, and reques- 
ted the English knight to tell the true story of Sabra's 
proffered violence, and how she murdered the wicked 
Earl of Coventry ; when after a bitter sigh the messen- 
ger thus replied : 

K Most noble princes and potentates of the earth. 
prepare your ears to hear the wofullest tale that ever 
English knight discoursed, and your eyes to weep seas 
of brackish tears. I would I had no tongue to tell it ; 
nor heart to remember it ; but seeing I am compelled, 
through the love and duty I owe the noble champions 
of Christendom, to express it. then thus it was : 

<•' It was the fortune, nay I may say, unhappy destiny 
of your beloved lady, upon an evening when the sun 
had almost lodged in the west, to walk beyond the 
walls of Coventry, to take pleasure in the sweet fields 
and flourishing meadows, which Flora had beautified 
in a summer's livery : where she walked up and down, 
now taking pleasure to hear the chirping birds how 
they strained their silver notes ; now taking delight 
to see how nature had covered both hill and dale wit It 
sundry sorts of flowers ; then walking to see the 



PASSION OF THE EARL OF COVENTRY. 139 

crystal running rivers, the murmuring music of whose 
streams exceeded the rest for pleasure; and as she, 
kind lady, delighted herself by the river side, a sudden 
and strange alteration troubled her mind : for the chain 
of gold that she wore about her neck presently changed 
colour, from a yellow burnished brightness to a dim 
paleness; her rings fell from her fingers, and from her 
nose fell drops of blood, whereat her heart began to 
throb, her ears to glow, and every joint to tremble 
with fear. This strange accident caused her speedily 
to hasten homewards : but by the way she met the Earl 
of Coventry, walking at that time to take the plea- 
sure of the evening air, with such a train of worthy 
geatjemen, as though he had been the greatest peer in 
England: at which sight, when she beheld them afar 
off, her heart began to misgive her, thinking that for- 
tune had allotted those gentlemen to proffer her some 
injury ; so that upon her cheeks fear set a vermilion 
dye, making her beauty admirable ; and, when the 
Earl beheld her, he was delighted, and deemed her the 
most excellent creature that ever nature framed. Their 
meeting was silent ; she showed the humility of a 
virtuous lady, and he the courtesy of a kind gentleman : 
she departed homewards, and he into the fields ; she 
thinking all danger was past, but he practising in his 
mind her utter ruin and downfall. For such extreme 
passion bewitched his mind, that he caused his servants 
every one to depart, and then, like a discontented man, 
he wandered up and down the fields, resolving in his 
mind a thousand ways to obtain his desire : for with- 
out her love, he was likely to live in endless languish- 
ment. 



140 the earl's banquet to the ladies. 

" At length he returned home, and sending for his 
steward, ordered him to provide a sumptuous banquet, 
to entertain all the principal ladies in Coventry ; who 
repaired to his entertainment, at the time and hour 
appointed : the banquet was brought in by the Earl's 
servants, and placed upon the table by the Earl himself; 
who, after many welcomes given, began thus to more 
the ladies to delight : 

" 'I think my house most highly honoured,' said he, 
' that you have vouchsafed to grace it with your 
presence, for methinks you beautify my hall, as the 
twinkling stars beautify the veil of heaven; but 
amongst all your number you have a Cynthia,* a 
glittering silver moon, that for brightness exceedeth 
all the rest ; for she is fairer than the queen of Cyprus, 
lovelier than Dido, and of more majesty than the queen 
of love.' 

" This commendation caused a general smile amongst 
the ladies, and made them look upon one another, to dis- 
cover whom it should be. Many other court-like discourses 
the Earl pronounced, to move the ladies' delight, till the 
banquet was ended, after which, there came in certain 
gentlemen, by the Earl's appointment, with most excel- 
lent music; and some who danced most curiously, with 
as much majesty as Paris in the Grecian court. At 
last the Earl requested one of them to choose out his be- 
loved mistress, and lead her some stately dances : re- 
questing that none should be offended what lady soever 
he did affect to grace with that courtly pastime ; at 
which request all present were silent, and silence is 
commonly a sign of consent; therefore he emboldened 
himself the more to make his desires known to the be- 



THE EARL'S OVERTURES TO SABRA. 141 

holders. Then with exceeding courtesy and great hu- 
mility, he kissed the beauteous hand of Sabra, who, 
with a blushing countenance and bashful look, accepted 
his courtesy, and like a kind lady, disdained not to dance 
with him. So when the musicians strained forth their 
inspiring melody, the base Earl led her a course about 
the hall, and she followed with as much grace as if the 
queen of pleasure had been present to behold their 
courtly delights ; and when the first course was ended, 
he found fit opportunity to unfold his secret love, and 
reveal unto the lady his extreme passion, which was 
in these speeches thus expressed : 

" 'Most divine and peerless paragon!' said he, 'thou 
only wonder of the world for beauty and excellent or- 
naments of nature ! know that thy twinkling eyes, that 
shine more bright than the light of heaven, have pierced 
my heart, and that thy crimson cheeks have wounded 
me with love ; therefore, except thou grant me kind 
comfort, I am like to spend the remnant of my life in 
sorrow and discontent. Admit thy lord and husband 
to be alive, yet hath be most unkindly left thee to spend 
thy young years in solitary widowhood : he is incon- 
stant like JEneas, and thou more hapless than Dido. 
He marcheth up and down the world in glittering 
armour, and never doth intend to return : therefore, 
dear Sabra, live not to consume thy youth in single- 
ness, for age will overtake thee too soon, and convert 
thy beauty to wrinkled frowns.' 

" To which words, Sabra would have presently made 
answer, but that the music called them to dance the 
second course ; which being ended, she thus replied : 

"'Most noble lord,' said she, 'for our bounteous 



142 SABRA REPULSES THE EARL. 

banquet and courteous entertainment, I give the 
humble thanks of a poor lady ; but for your suit I do 
detest it as much as the sight of a crocodile, and your 
flattering words I esteem as much as doth the ocean 
a drivelling shower of rain : your syren songs shall 
never entice me to listen to your fond requests ; but I 
will, like Ulysses, stop my ears, and bury all your 
flattering enticements in the lake of forgetfulness. 
Surely the gorgeous sun shall lose his light by day and 
the silver moon by night, the skies shall fall, the earth 
shall sink, and everything shall change from kind and 
nature, before I will falsify my faith, or prove disloyal 
to my beloved George* Attempt no more, my noble 
lord, to sap the fortress of my good name with your 
flattery, nor seek to stain my honour with your base 
proposals. What if my lord and husband prove disloyal 
and choose out other loves in foreign lands? yet will t 
prove as constant to him, as Penelope to her Ulysses ; 
and if it be his pleasure never to return, but spend his 
days among strange ladies, yet will I live in single 
solitariness, like the turtle dove when she hath lost 
her mate, abandoning all company; or as the mournful 
swan, that swims upon Meander's silver streams, where 
she records her dying tunes to raging billows ; so will 
I spend away my lingering days in grief, and die.' 

" This resolution of the virtuous lady so daunted 
the Earl, that he stood like a senseless image gazing at 
the sun, not knowing how to reply; but when they had 
danced the third course, he began anew to assail her 
in these terms : 

" 'Why, my dear mistress, have you a heart more 
hard than flint, that the tears of my true ldve can never 



SABRA LEAVES THE EARl/s HOUSE. 143 

mollify ? Can you behold him plead for grace, who hath 
been often sued by many worthy dames 1 I am a man 
that can command counties, yet can I not command 
thy stubborn heart. Divine Sabra, if thou wilt grant 
me thy love, I will have thee clad in silken robes, and 
damask vestures embossed with Indian pearls, and rich 
refined gold, perfumed with camphire and other Syrian 
sweet perfumes; by day a hundred virgins shall attend 
thy person; by night a hundred eunuchs, with their 
stringed instruments, shall bring thy senses into golden 
slumber ; all this, my dear, divine, and lovely mistress, 
is at thy command, and more, so that I may enjoy thy 
love and favour ; which if I have not, I will discon- 
tentedly end my life in woods and desert places, tigers 
and untamed beasts being my chief companions ! ' 

"These base proposals caused Sabra hastily to depart, 
from which the rest of the ladies suspected the Earl had 
insulted her in secret conference, but they all assuredly 
knew that she was as far from yielding, as is the aged 
man to be young again, or as the azure firmament to 
be a place for sylvan swans to inhabit. In such-like 
speculations they spent the day, till the dark night 
caused them to break off company. The Earl smother- 
ed his grief under a smiling countenance, till the ladies, 
whom he courteously caused his servants to conduct 
homewards with torch-lights, because it began to be 
very dark, were every one departed. After their depar- 
ture, he cursed his own fortune, and like a lion wanting 
food, raged up and down his chamber, filling every 
corner with bitter exclamations, rending his garments 
from his back, tearing his hair, beating his breast, and 
using all the violence he could against himself. 



14i THE EARL'S EXTREME MADNESS. 

" His melancholy and extreme passion so discon- 
tented his mind, that he purposed to end his sor- 
rows by some untimely death : and when the morning 
appeared, he repaired to an orchard, where Sabra once 
a day walked to take the air. The place was very 
melancholy and far from the noise of people ; and after 
he had spent some time in exclaiming against the un- 
kindness of Sabra, he pulled his poniard from his side, 
and prepared his breast for the stroke of death; but 
before the intended tragedy, with his dagger he en- 
graved the following verses upon the bark of a walnut- 
tree. 

" ' heart more hard than bloody tigers fell ! 

O ears more deaf than senseless troubled seas ! 
cruel foe ! thy rigour doth excel : 

For thee I die, thy anger to appease : 
But time will come, when thou shalt find me slain, 
Then thy repentance will increase thy pain. 

14 ' I here engrave my will and testament, 

That my sad grief thou mays't behold and see, 
How that my woful heart is torn and rent, 
And gor'd with bloody blade, for love of thee; 

Whom thou disdainest, as now the end doth try, 

That thus distressed doth suffer me to die. 

" ■ Oh god of love, if so there any be, 

And you of love that feel the deadly pain, 
Oh Sabra, thou that thus afflictest me, 
Hear these my words, which from my heart I strain : 
Ere that my corpse be quite bereaved of breath, 
Here I'll declare the cause of this my death. 

" ' You mountain nymphs, who in the deserts reign, 
Leave off your chase from savage beasts awhile, 
Prepare to see a heart opprest with pain, 
Address your ears to hear my doleful style : 

No strength nor art can work me any weal, 

Since she's unkind and tyrant -like doth deal. 



THE EARL INSULTS SABRA. 145 

" 'You fairy nymphs, by lovers much adored, 
And gracious damsels, who in evenings fair, 
Your closets leave, with heavenly beauty stored, 
And on your shoulders spread your golden hair,- 
Record with me that Sabra is unkind, 
Within whose breast remains a double mind. 

u "Ye savage bears, in caves and dens that lie, 
Remain in peace, if you may sorrows hear ; 
And be not moved at my misery, 
Though too extreme my passions do appear; 

England farewell, and Coventry adieu, 

But Sabra, Heaven above still prosper you. 1 

" These verses being finished, and engraven upon 
the bark of a walnut-tree, with a wrathful countenance 
he lifted up his hand, intending to strike the poniard 
up to the hilt in his breast ; but at the same instant 
he beheld Sabra entering the orchard to take her 
wonted walk of pleasure ; her sight hindered his pur- 
pose, and caused other bloody cogitations to enter in 
his mind. The Furies incensed him to a wicked deed, 
which my trembling tongue faints to report : for after 
she had walked to the farthest side of the orchard, he 
ran after her with his dagger drawn, and thus fright- 
fully threatened her : 

"'Now, stubborn dame,' quoth he, 'be mine, or I 
will wrap this dagger in thy locks of hair, and nail it 
fast into the ground ; then will I cut thy tongue out of 
thy mouth, because thou shalt not reveal nor descry 
thy murderer ; with this poniard will I chop off both 
thy hands that thou shalt never write with pen his 
name. Therefore, except thou wilt submit, I will by 
force and violence inflict those horrid punishments 
upon thy delicate body. Be not too resolute in denial; 



146 sabra's despair. 

for if thou art, the gorgeous sun shall not glide the 
compass of an hour before I fulfil my purpose.' 

" And thereupon he stepped to the orchard-door, and 
with all expedition locked it, and put the key in his 
pocket ; she thinking all hope of aid and succour to be 
gone, fell into a dead swoon, being unable to move 
for the space of an hour ; but at last, having recovered 
her senses, she began in this pitiful manner to defend 
herself from the wicked Earl, who stood over her 
with his dagger, threatening most cruelly her final 
destruction. 

" ' My lord of Coventry,' said she, with weeping 
eyes, and kneeling upon the ground, 4 is virtue banished 
from your breast ? Have you a mind more tyrannous 
than the tigers in Hyconia, that nothing may suffice 
to satisfy you? If it be my beauty that hath enticed 
you, I am content to have it converted to a loathsome 
leprosy, that I may be odious in your eyes : if it be my 
rich and costly garments that make me beautiful, and 
so entangle you, henceforth I will attire my body in 
poor and simple array, and for the future dwell in country 
caves and cottages. If none of these suffice to abate 
your horrible desires, then will the heavens avenge my 
wrongs, to whom I will incessantly make my petitions.' 

" To which expostulation the ireful Earl thus 
replied : 

" ' Prepare thyself either to suffer the sentence pro- 
nounced, or consent to be mine.' 

" This resolution of the Earl added grief unto grief, 
and heaped mountains of sorrow upon her soul: but at 
last, when she saw that neither tears, prayers, nor 
wishes could prevail, she gave signs of consenting upon 



SABRA SINGS THE EARL TO SLEEP. 147 

this condition, 'that you suffer me to sit some hoars 
upon this bed of violets, bewailing the loss of my good 
name, and I shall shortly consent to your wishes/ 

" These words caused the Earl to convert his furious 
wrath to smiling joy, and casting down his dagger, he 
gave her a courteous kiss, which she, to his delight, 
graciously accepted. Then he caused Sabra to sit down 
upon a bed of violets, decked with divers sorts of flowers, 
whose lap he made his pillow, whereupon he laid his 
head : but women in extremity have the quickest wits ; 
so Sabra busied herself by all possible means, either now 
or never to remove her cause of deep distress, by com- 
passing his death, and so quit herself from her impor- 
tunate suitor. She told him pleasant tales of love, in 
hopes to bring his senses to a slumber, the better to 
accomplish her desires ; but at last, when neither tales 
nor discourses could send him asleep, she strained forth 
the organs of her voice, and over his head sung these 
woful words : 

u 'Thou god of sleep and golden dreams, appear, 
That bring'st all things to peace and quiet rest; 
Close up the glasses of his eyes so clear, 
Thereby to make my fortune ever blest ; 
His eyes, his heart, his senses, and his mind, 
In peaceful sleep let them some comfort find. 

" 'Sing sweet, you pretty bird^s on tops of trees, 
With warbling tunes and many a pleasant note, 
Till your sweet music close his watchful eyes, 
That on my love with vain desires do dote : 

Sleep on, my dear, sleep on, my love's delight, 

And let this sleep be thy eternal night.' 

" These words rocked his senses in such a careless 
slumber, that he slept as soundly upon her lap as on the 



148 SABRA SLAYS THE EARL. 

softest bed of down ; when she found a fit opportunity 
to deliver herself. So taking the poniard, which he 
had cast a little aside, in her hand, and gazing 
thereon with an ireful look, she made this sad com- 
plaint : 

" ' Grant, you immortal powers of heaven,' said she, 
' that o. these two extremes I choose the best ; either 
must I submit to be dishonoured, or stain my hands with 
the trickling streams or his heart's blood. If I yield 
unto the first, I shall be then accounted a vicious dame : 
but it I commit the last, I shall be guilty of a wilful 
murder, and for that the law will adjudge me a shameful 
death. What ! shall I fear to die, or lose my virtue 
and renown ? No, my heart shall be as tyrannous as 
Danaus's daughters, that slew their fifty husbands 
in a night ; or as Medea's cruelty, which scattered her 
brother's bloody joints upon the sea-shore, to hinder 
the swift pursuit of her father, when Jason got the 
golden fleece 'from Colches' Isle. Therefore stand 
still, you glittering lamps ot heaven ; stay, wandering 
time, and let him sleep eternally.' 

< These words were no sooner ended, than with a 
wrathtul and pale countenance, she sheathed the pon- 
iard up to the hilt in the centre ot his breast, on which 
he started, and would have got upon his feet, but the 
streams of blood so violently gushed from his wound, 
that he fell immediately to the earth, and his soul was 
forced to bid the world a doleful adieu. 

" When Sabra beheld the bed of violets stained with 
blood, and every flower converted to a crimson colour, 
she sighed grievously : but w T hen she saw her garments 
SDrinkled with her enemy's blood, she ran speedily unto 



THE EARL'S MUKDER DISCOVERS^). 149 

a flowing fountain, that stood on the farther side of the 
orchard, and began to wash the blood out of her clothes; 
but the more she washed, the more it increased. At 
last, she tore her blood-stained garment from her back, 
and cast it into the fountain. Thus being unrobed unto 
her petticoat, she turned to the slaughtered Earl, whose 
face she found covered with moss, which added more 
grief unto her soul, for she greatly feared the murder 
was discovered ; but it fell not out as she feared, for it 
is the nature of the robin red-breast and other birds, 
always to cover the face of any dead man, and they had 
bred this fear in the lady's heart. By this time the day 
began to shut up his bright windows, and sable night 
entered to take possession of the earth, yet durst not the 
distressed Sabra repair homewards, lest she should be 
descried without her upper garment. 

" During this time, there was a general search made 
for the Earl by his servants, for they greatly suspected 
something had befallen him, considering that they heard 
him the night before so wofully complain in his chamber. 
At last, with torch-lights, they came to the orchard 
gate, which they presently burst open ; and no sooner 
entered, than they found their murdered master lying 
by a bed of violets, covered with moss ; aud searching 
to find out the murderer, at last they espied Sabra in 
her bare petticoat, her hands and face besprinkled with 
blood, and her countenance as pale as ashes ; by which 
signs they suspected her to be the bloody destroyer of 
their lord and master's life ; therefore, because she was 
descended from a noble lineage, they brought her the 
same night before the king, who then kept his court 
in the city of Coventry, who immediately upon her con- 



150 SEVERE SENTENCE OF THE KING. 

fession of the murder, gave this severe judgment 
against her • 

u 'First, to be conveyed to prison, there to remain for 
the term of twelve months, and at the end thereof to be 
burned like a most wicked offender ; yet because she 
was the daughter to a king, and a loyal lady to so noble 
a knight, his majesty in mercy granted her this. favour, 
that if she could get any knight at arms, before the 
time was expired, who would be her champion, and by 
combat redeem her from the fire, she should live : bat 
if her champion was vanquished, then she should suffer 
the former punishment.' 

"Thus have you heard an account of all things 
which happened till my departure from England, where 
I left her in prison, and since that time five months 
have fully expired : therefore, most renowned champion, 
as you love the life of your lady, and wish her delivery, 
make no delay, but with all speed post into England, 
for I greatly fear, before you arrive, the time will be 
finished, and Sabra suffer death for want of a champion 
to defend her cause." 

This doleful discourse drove St George, and the 
other knights and champions, to such a state of mind 
that all departed to their lodging chambers with dumb 
signs of sorrow, being unable to speak one word; 
and all that night they lamented the misfortune of so 
virtuous a lady. The Egyptian king, her father, aban- 
doned the sight of all company, that none might come 
within the hearing of his lamentation. Being in this 
extreme grief, he never expected to see his daughter's 
countenance again; and so about midnight he cast 
himself headlong from the top of the tower and broke 
his neck. 



ST GEORGE CROWNED KING OP EGYPT. 151 

The wofal news of this self-willed murder being told 
to certain Egyptian knights, they took his scattered 
limbs, and carried them to St George's chamber, where 
they found him arming himself for his departure to Eng- 
land ; but at this dismal spectacle he was affected in 
such an extreme manner, that it had almost cost him his 
life, had not the Egyptian knights given him comfort, 
and by the consent of many dukes, earls, lords, and 
barons, with many others of the late king's privy- 
council, they elected him, by his marriage with 
Ptolemy's daughter, the new king of Egypt; which royal 
offer St George refused not, but took upon him the 
government of the whole country ; so that for a short 
time his journey towards England was delayed. 
Upon the third day following, his coronation was 
solemnly performed, to the high honour of all the 
Christian champions : for the Egyptian peers caused 
St George to be appareled in royal vesture like a king: 
having on a suit of flaming green, like an emerald, and 
a mantle of scarlet very richly furred, and wrought 
curiously with gold. Then the other six champions 
led him up to the king's throne, and set him on a chair 
of ebony, ornamented with silver, and standing upon 
an alabaster elephant ; then came three of the greatest 
lords in Egypt, and set a crown of gold upon his head; 
then followed the knights, with a sceptre and a naked 
sword, to signify that he was chief governor of the 
realm, and lord of all that appertained to the crown of 
Egypt. This being performed in a most sumptuous 
manner, the trumpets with other instruments began to 
sound, and the whole company with joyful voices 
cried altogether, "Long live St George, true champion 



152 ST GEORGE DEPARTS FOR ENGLAND. 

of England, and king of Egypt !" Then was he con- 
ducted to the royal palace, where for ten days he 
remained among his lords and knights, spending the 
time in great joy and pleasure, until, his lady's distress 
constraining him to a sudden departure, he left the 
guidance of the land to twelve Egyptian lords, binding 
them all by oath to deliver it at his return, and charg- 
ing them to inter the body of Ptolemy in a sumptuous 
tomb, befitting the body of so royal a potentate. He 
also appointed the six champions to raise their tents, 
and muster up anew their soldiers, and with all speed 
march into Persia, and there, by din of bloody war, 
revenge his former injuries upon the accursed Soldan. 
This charge being girai, the next morning by break 
of day he buckled on his armour, mounted his swift- 
footed steed, and bade his friends in Egypt for a 
season adieu ; and so, in company of the knight that 
brought him the unlucky news, he journeyed with all 
speed to England ; in which travel we will leave him for 
a time; passing over also the speedy preparations made 
by the Christian champions in Egypt, for the invasion 
of Persia; and return to sorrowful Sabra, in prison, 
waiting each minute to receive the final stroke of her 
cruel death; for now had the rolling planets brought 
their year's journey to an end ; yet Sabra had no 
intelligence of any champion that would defend her 
cause; therefore she prepared herself to yield her 
latest breath of life. The time being come, she was 
brought to the place of execution, whither she went as 
willingly, and with as much joy, as she had gone unto 
her marriage: she had made humble submission to the 
world, and unfeignedly committed her soul to God. 



PERILOUS CONDITION OF SABRA. 1 53 

Placed at the stake, where the king was present 
with many thousands to behold this woful tragedy, 
the executioner, stripping off her garment, which was 
of black sarcenet, bound her, in her snow-white shift, 
with an iron chain unto the stake ; then they placed 
round about her body, pitch, turpentine, and gun- 
powder, to make her death the more easy, and her 
pain the shorter ; then, the king caused the herald to 
summon the challenger, who at the sound of the trum- 
pet came in upon a roan-coloured steed, without any 
kind of mark, and trapped with rich ornaments of gold, 
and precious stones of great price. The champion 
was called the baron of Chester, a bolder and hardier 
knight they thought lived not then upon the face of 
the whole earth; he so careered up and down, as 
though he had been able to encounter a hundred 
knights. Then the king caused the herald to summon 
the defendant, if there were any to defend her cause ; 
both drums and trumpets sounded three several times 
up and down the fields; betwixt every blast was a full 
quarter of an hour, but yet no defendant appeared, 
therefore the king commanded the executioner to set 
the pile on fire. 

At this command Sabra began to grow pale as ashes, 
and her joints trembled like aspen leaves; her tongue, 
that before continued silent, began, swan-like, to record 
a dying tale, and in this manner uttered the passion 
of her heart : 

" Be witness, Heaven, and all you bright celestial 
angels; be witness sun and moon, all true beholders of 
my fate; be witness thou clear firmament, and all the 
world be witness of my innocence: the blood I shed 



154 ARRIVAL OF ST GEORGE. 

was for the safeguard of my honour. Great God of 
heaven, if the prayers of my unstained heart may move 
thy mighty majesty, or my true innocence prevail with 
thy immortal power, command that either my lord may 
come to be my champion or sad beholder of my death. 
But if my hands were stained with blood about some 
wicked enterprise, then Heaven show present vengeance 
upon me, else by some noble champion save my body 
alive." 

At this instant, she heard the sound of a shrill 
trumpet which St George ordered to be winded, (for as 
then he was near) : which caused the execution awhile 
to be deferred. At last, they beheld a stately banner 
waving in the air, which a squire carried before St 
George; and they espied near the banner a most 
valiant armed knight, mounted upon a coal-black 
palfrey, with a warlike lance standing in his rest : and 
by his sudden approach they knew him to be the 
champion that would defend the distressed lady's life. 
Then the king commanded the drums and trumpets to 
sound: whereupon the people gave a general shout, 
and the poor lady, half dead with fear, began to revive, 
and her blushing cheeks became as beautiful as red 
roses dipped in milk, or as blood mingled with snow. 
But when St George approached his constant lady, 
whom he found chained to a stake, encompassed with 
many instruments of death, his heart was so filled with 
grief, that he almost fell beside his horse: yet remem- 
bering wherefore he came, he recalled his courage, 
and determined to try his fortune in the combat, before 
he would discover himself to his lady. And when the 
trumpets sounded death's alarm, the two knights set 



ST GEORGE VICTORIOUS. 155 

spurs to their horses, and made them run so fiercely, 
that at the first encounter they shivered both their 
lances in their hands; then they rushed together so 
rigorously with their bodies and helmets, that they 
both fell down to the earth; St George nimbly leaped 
upon his feet without any hurt, but the baron of 
Chester lay still, with his head downward, casting 
from his mouth abundance of blood, for he was mightily 
bruised with the fall ; but when he recovered from 
his faint, he took his shield, and drawing out a 
mighty falchion, with wrathful countenance, ran at St 
George. "Now, proud knight," quoth he, "I swear 
by all the saints of heaven, to revenge my blood which 
thou hast shed ;" and he struck so violently upon St 
George's shield, that it cleaved asunder. Then St 
George began to w r ax angry, and took his sword in great 
wrath, and gave the baron of Chester such a stroke, 
that he cut away arm and shoulder, and all the flesh 
of his side to the bare ribs, and likewise cut his leg 
almost quite asunder, in the thickest part of his thigh; 
then fell the baron of Chester to the ground and 
breathed his last. 

The whole company admired and applauded St 
George as the most fortunate knight in the world : then 
the king delivered Sabra with his own hands to St 
George, who most courteously received her, and, like a 
courteous knight, cast a scarlet mantle, which a lady 
standing by bestowed upon him, over her body: yet he 
did not discover himself, but set her upon his portly 
steed, and with his own hands led him by the bridle- 
reins. So great was the joy throughout the city, that 
the bells rang without ceasing that whole day ; the 



156 ST GEORGE DISCOVERS HIMSELF. 

citizens, through every place St George should pas?, 
hung forth at their windows and on their walls, cloths 
of gold and silk, with rich carpets; cushion-coverings 
of green velvet lay abroad in every window; the clergy 
in copes of gold and silk, met him in solemn pro- 
cession ; ladies and beautiful damsels strewed every 
street as he passed with roses and other pleasant 
flowers, and crowned him with a wreath of green bays, 
in sign of his triumphant victory and conquest. 

In this manner he went to the king's palace, not 
known to any but that he was a knight of a strange 
country: yet Sabra, many times as they passed along, 
desired to see his face, and know his name, because 
he had ventured so much for her sake, and had van- 
quished the bravest knight in England for her delivery. 
Yet notwithstanding all her persuasions, he kept him- 
self undiscovered, till a troop of ladies, in company of 
Sabra, got him into a chamber richly hung with arras 
cloth, and there unlaced his beaver; and when she 
beheld his countenance, and saw that it was her lord 
and husband who had redeemed her from death, she fell 
into a dead swoon for joy ; but St George sprinkled a 
little cold water on her face, and she presently revived. 
After this he gave her many a kind and loving kiss, 
calling her the most true and the most loyal lady that 
ever nature framed, who to the very death would not 
lose one jot of her unspotted honour, She in turn 
accounted him the truest knight and loyalest husband 
that ever heavenly Hymen linked in bands of marriage 
with any woman. But when the king had notice that it 
was St George, his country's champion, who achieved 
the noble conquest of vanquishing the baron of Chester, 



ST GEORGE AND SABRA LEAVE ENGLAND. 157 

he was ravished with such joy, that he came running 
in all haste to the chamber, and most kindly embraced 
him; and after he was unarmed, and his wounds 
washed with white wine and ne % w milk, the king con- 
ducted him with his lady to the banqueting-house, where 
they feasted for that evening, and afterwards kept open 
court for all comers so long as St George continued 
there, which was for the space of one mouth ; at the 
end of which, he took his lady and one page with him, 
bade England adieu, and then travelled towards Persia, 
to the other Christian champions, of which dangerous 
journey, and the strange adventures he met with, you 
may read in the following chapter. 



CHAPTER XV. 



How St George, in his journey towards Persia, arrived in a country inhabited 
only by Amazons, where he achieved many strange and wonderful ad- 
ventures. 

After St George, with his virtuous lady, departed 
from England, and had travelled through many coun- 
tries, taking their direct course towards Egypt and 
the confines of Persia, where the other six champions 
remained with the warlike legions, they at last arrived 
in the country of the Amazons, a land inhabited by 
none but women : in which region St George achieved 
many brave and princely adventures, which are most 
wonderful to relate ; for travelling up and down the 
country, they found every town and city desolate of 
people, yet very sumptuously built, the earth likewise 
untilled, the pastures uncherished, and every field over- 



158 THE COUNTRY OF THE AMAZONS. 

grown with weeds, whence he deemed that some strange 
accident had befallen the country, either by war, or 
mortality of some grievous plague, for they could 
neither set eye on man, woman, nor child. They were 
forced to feed upon roots ; instead of brave palaces, 
they were constrained to lie on broad pastures, or upon 
banks of moss : and instead of curtains of silk, they 
had black and dark clouds to cover them. 

In this extremity they travelled up and down for 
thirty days ; but at last it was their happy fortune to 
arrive before a rich pavilion, standing in the open fields, 
which seemed to be the most glorious sight they ever 
beheld, for it was wrought of the richest material in 
the world ; all of green and crimson satin, bordered 
with gold and azure ; the posts that bore it up w r ere of 
ivory, the cords of green silk, on the top thereof there 
stood an eagle of gold, and at the two corners, shin- 
ing against the sun, were two silver griffins, which 
seemed in richness to exceed the monument of Mausoleus, 
esteemed one of the world's twelve wonders. They had 
not remained long, admiring the beauty of the work- 
manship, when at the entry of the pavilion there 
appeared a maiden queen, crowned with an imperial 
diadem, who was the fairest creature they had ever 
seen. On her attended Amazonian dames, bearing in 
their hands silver bows of the Turkish fashion, and at 
their backs hung quivers full of golden arrows; upon 
their heads they wore silver coronets, set with pearls and 
precious stones; their attire being comely and gallant. 
The queen herself was clothed in a gown of green, 
strait girt unto her b>dy with lace of gold, which 
became her won* erfully well; besides ail this, she had 



THE QUEEN OF THE AMAZONS. 159 

on a crimson kirtle, lined with violet-coloured velvet, 
and her wide sleeves were likewise of green silk, em- 
broidered with flowers of gold, and with rich pearls. 
When St George had sufficiently admired the beauty 
of this maiden queen, he alighted from his horse and 
humbled himself unto her excellency ; and thus cour- 
teously began to question her : 

u Most divine and fairest of all, queen of sweet 
beauty," said he, " let a travelling knight obtain this 
favour at your hands, that both himself and his lady, 
whom you behold here wearied with travel, may take 
their rest within thy pavilion for a night: for we have 
wandered up and down this country many a day, neither 
seeing any one to give us lodging, or finding food to 
nourish us, which made us wonder that so brave a 
country, so beautified with nature's ornaments as this, 
should be left desolate of people, the cause whereof 
appears strange and full of wonder." 

This question being courteously demanded by St 
George, caused the Amazonian queen as kindly to 
reply. 

" Sir knight," quoth she, " what favour my pavilion 
may afford, be assured of; but the remembrance of my 
country's desolation, which you speak of, raises a sea 
of sorrow in my soul, and makes me sigh when I re- 
member it; but because you are a knight of a strange 
land, I will relate it, though to my grief. About 
twelve years since it was a necromancer's chance to 
arrive within this country; his name is Osmond, the 
most cunning artist this clay living on the earth, for he 
can at his call raise up spirits, and with his charms 
make heaven rain continually showers of blood: my 



1G0 OSMOND THE MAGICIAN. 

beauty tempted him to love, and drowned his senses so 
that he assailed me by every persuasion that either wit 
or art could devise, to win me to his will; but I, hav- 
ing vowed myself to Diana's chastity, to live in singleness 
among these Amazonian maids, contemned his love, 
despised his person, and accounted his solicitations as 
ominous as snakes; for which he wrought the destruc- 
tion of this my realm and kingdom; for by his magic 
art and cursed charms, he raised from the earth a 
mighty tower, the mortar whereof he mingled with 
virgins' blood, wherein are such enchantments wrought, 
that the light of the sun and the brightness of the skies 
are quenched, and the earth blasted with a terrible 
vapour and black mist that ascend from the tower, 
so that a general darkness overspreads our land for 
the space of twenty-four leagues, whereby this country 
is wasted and destroyed, and my people forced to fly. 
His tower is haunted day and night by ghastly fiends; 
and at his departure into Persia, where he now by 
enchantment aids the Soldan in his wars against the 
Christians, he left the guarding of the same to a mighty 
and terrible giant, in shape the ugliest monster that 
ever eye beheld, or ever ear heard tell of, for he is 
thirty feet in length; his head is three times larger 
than the head of an ox; his eyes are bigger than two 
pewter dishes, and his teeth stand out of his mouth 
more than a foot, wherewith he can break both iron 
and steel; his arms big and long without measure; 
and his body as black as any coal and as hard as 
brass: he is also of such strength, that he is able to 
carry away at once three knights armed; and he never 
eateth any other meat but raw human flesh; he is 



st george's brave resolve. 161 

so light and swift that a horse cannot ran from him, 
and oftentimes he hath been assailed by great troops of 
armed men, but none of them could ever do him any 
harm, either with sword, spear, cross-bow, or any 
other weapon." 

" Now as I am a true English knight," replied St 
George, "no sooner shall the morning sun appear, than 
I will take my journey to that enchanted tower, in which 
I'll enter in spite of the giant, and break the enchant- 
ment, or make my grave within the monster's bowels; 
and if I succeed, then will I travel into Persia, and 
fetter up that most wicked necromancer, and like a 
bloodhound lead him up and down the world in 
chains." 

u Most dangerous is the adventure," quoth the Ama- 
zonian queen, " whence as yet did never knight return; 
but if you be so resolute and noble-minded as to 
attempt the enterprise, then happy be your fortune, and 
know, brave knight, that this tower lieth westward 
hence about thirteen miles." 

And thereupon she took him by the hand, and caused 
Sabra likewise to alight from her palfrey, and led them 
both into her pavilion, where they were feasted most 
royally, and for that night slept securely. But when the 
morning sun began to glitter, in all haste St George 
arose, and armed himself; and after he had taken 
his leave of the queen and given her thanks for his 
courteous entertainment, he also took leave of Sabras 
whom he left in company of the queen's maidens till 
his return from conquest, and so rode forth till it was 
noon, and then, entering into a deep valley, he rode 
lower and lower. It was then a fair day, and the 

M 



162 ST GEORGE CONQUERS THE GIANT. 

sun shone clearly : but by the time he had ridden 
ten miles and a half, he had lost both the light and the 
sun, and also the sight of heaven, for it was there as 
dark as night, and more dismal than the deepest 
dungeon. 

In this dangerous manner he rode on, till he came 
to the gates of the enchanted tower, where the giant 
sat in his iron coat upon a block, with a mace of steel 
in his hand, and at the first sight of St George, beat 
his teeth so mightily together, that they rang like the 
stroke of an anvil, and raging like a fiend, he ran, 
thinking to have taken the champion, horse and all, in 
his long teeth, which w r ere as sharp as steel, and to have 
borne them presently into the tower ; but when St 
George perceived his mouth open, he took his sw r ord, 
and thrust it therein so far, that it made the giant 
roar so loud, that the elements seemed to thunder, and 
the earth to tremble ; his mouth smoked like a fiery 
furnace, and his eyes rolled in his head like brands of 
flaming fire ; the w r ound was so great, and the blood 
issued so fast from the giant's mouth, that his courage 
began to fail, and against his will he was forced to 
yield to the champion's mercy, and to heg for life ; 
to which St George agreed, but upon condition 
that the giant would discover all the secrets of 
the tower, and ever after be his sworn, true servant, 
and attend on him with all diligence: to which 
the giant swore by his own soul never to leave him in 
extremity, and to answer him truly to all questions 
whatsoever. Then St George demanded the cause of 
the darkness, and how it might be removed. To which 
the giant answered in this manner : 



163 

"There was in this country, about twelve years since, 
a cunniDg necromancer, who by enchantment built this 
tower, which you now behold, and caused a terrible 
fire to spring from the earth, which cast such a smoke 
over the whole land, that the people who were wout 
to dwell therein fled and were famished for hunger : 
this enchanter by his art made the river that you have 
passed, which never man did before this time without 
death: also, within this tower, near unto the fire, 
there stands a fair and pleasant fountain, which if any 
knight be able to attain and cast the water thereof 
into the fire, then shall the darkness ever after cease, 
and the enchantment end; for which reason I was 
bound to guard and keep the tower from the achieve- 
ment of any knight," 

When the giant had ended his discourse, St George 
commanded him to remain at the gate, for he would en- 
deavour to end the enchantment, and deliver the country 
from so grievous a plague. Then went he close by 
the windows of the tower, which were sixteen yards 
in length and breadth, till he came to a little wicket, 
through which he must enter : this was set as thick 
with pikes of steel as the prickles of an urchin's skin, 
so that no knight should approach near the door, nor 
attempt to enter the tower ; yet with great danger he 
opened the wicket, whence came such an abundance of 
smoke, that the darkness of the country doubled, so 
that neither torch nor candle would burn in that place; 
still St George entered, and went down a flight of 
stairs, where he could see nothing, but yet felt so many 
great blows upon his burgonet, that he was constrained 
to go upon his knees, and with his shield to defend 



1G1 ST GEORGE DESTROYS TELE ENCHANTMENT. 

himself, or else he had been bruised to pieces. At 
last he came to the bottom, and there he found a great 
vault, where he felt so terrible a heat that he perspired 
exceedingly ; as he felt about him. he perceived that 
he approached the fire ; and going a little further, 
he espied the fountain, whereat he greatly rejoiced : 
and so taking his shield, he carried therein as much 
water as he could, and cast it into the fire. In 
elusion, he laboured till the fire was quenched : when 
the skies began to recover their perfect brightness, and 
the golden sun to shine most clearly about him. then 
he plainly perceived that there stood upon the stairs 
many great images of brass, holding in their hands 
mighty maces of steel, which- had done him such 
injury when coming down: but now their power was 
ended, the fire quenched, and the enchantment finished. 

He then returned to the wicket, at which the de- 
formed giant still remained: who. when he beheld the 
champion return both safe and sound, fell upon his 
knees before him, and said : 

"Sir knight, you are most welcome, and happily 
returned, for you are the flower of Christendom, and 
the bravest champion in the world. Command my 
service, duty, and obedience ; for whilst I live, I do 
profess, by the burning banks of Acheron, never to 
follow anv other knight but you. and hereupon I kiss 
your golden spur, which is the noble badge of knight- 
hood.'' 

This humble submission of the giant caused the 
whampion to rejoice; but he set him at once at liberty, 
and bade him go wheresoever he pleased. Then he 
unlaced his helmet, and lay down after his weary 



ST GEORGE S RETURN. 165 

encounter, and after he had sufficiently rested himself, 
he returned to the Amazonian queen, where he left his 
lady in company of her virgins; she, like a kind, modest, 
and virtuous wife, during all the time of her husband's 
absence, prayed to the immortal powers of heaven, for 
his success and happy return, resolving, if the lowering 
destinies should cross his purpose, and unluckily end his 
days before the adventure was accomplished, to spend 
the remainder of her life among those happy virgins. 
But on a sudden, before the queen and her virgins were 
aware, St George arrived before the pavilion ; when 
the qaeen knew that his prowess had redeemed her 
country from darkness, and delivered her from her 
sorrow, care, and trouble ; so in company of her 
maids, very gorgeously attired, she conducted the 
champion to a bower of roses, intermingled with creep- 
ing vines, which in his absence they planted for his 
lady's delight. There he found Sabra at her prayers, 
like a solitary widow, clad in mourning habiliments ; 
but when she beheld her lord return in safety, she 
banished her grief, ran in haste to him, and on his 
bosom wept tears of joy. 

But how the Amazonian queen feasted them, and in 
what manner she and her maids devised pastimes for 
their amusement, were too tedious to repeat ; and when 
night put an end to their pleasures, and sleep sum- 
moned all things to silence, the queen brought them to 
a very sumptuous lodging, where stood a bed framed 
with ebony-wood, overhung with many pendants of 
gold, the tick was stuffed with down of turtle-doves, 
the sheets of Median silk, on which lay a rich quiit 
wrought with cotton, covered with damask, and 



166 ST GEORGE ADMIRES THE COUNTRY. 

stitched with threads of gold. At last the night 
withdrew her black curtains, and gave the morning 
leave to appear, whose pleasant light caused St George 
to forsake his bed, and to walk some few miles to view 
the country ; in w r hich journey he took such exceeding 
pleasure, that he thought it the goodliest realm that 
he ever saw, for he noticed hdw full it was of worldly 
wealth. 

At last, he climbed up to the top of a high mountain, 
about two miles from the queen's pavilion, whereon he 
stood and beheld many stately towns and towers, high 
and mighty castles, many large woods and meadows, and 
very pleasant rivers ; and about the towns, fair vines, 
goodly pastures, and fields. At last, he beheld the 
city of Argenta shining in the sun, where the queen in 
former time was wont to keep her court. This city was 
environed with deep ditches, the wall strongly built, 
with more than five hundred towers made of lime and 
stone ; he also saw many fair churches covered with 
lead, having roofs and spires of gold, shining most 
gorgeously; with weathercocks of silver, glittering in 
the sun. He also saw the burgesses' houses stand like 
palaces, enclosed with high and strong walls, barred 
with chains of iron from house to house, and in his 
heart he praised much the nobleness and richness of 
the city, and said to himself, that it might well be called 
Argenta, for it seemed to be of argent, that is to say, 
of silver. 

On his return to the pavilion St George and his 
lady took leave of the Amazonian queen, thanking her 
for her courtesy, and journeyed towards Egypt and 
Persia. 



CIIAPTEE XYI. 

How St George and his lsdy arrived in Fgypt; of their royal entertainment 
in the city of Grand Cairo; and also how Sahra was crowned queen of 
Egypt. 

Many strange accidents and dangerous adventures St 
George passed with his lady before they arrived withu 
the territories of Egypt, which I want memory to re- 
peat, and art to describe. But at last when Fortune, 
which had long crossed their wishes with her incon- 
stant chances, smiled and cast them happily upon the 
Egyptian shore, the nurse and mother of Sabra's first 
creation, the twelve peers unto whom St George had 
committed the guiding of the land and keeping of his 
crown, as yon heard before, now met him and his lady 
at the sea-side, most richly mounted upon their costly 
trapped steeds, and willingly surrendered the sceptre, 
crown, and government ; aud in company of many 
princely persons, dukes, earls, lords, knights, and royal 
gentlemen, they attended them to the city of Grand 
Cairo, then under the subjection of the Egyptian 
monarchy, and the greatest city in the world; for it 
was in breadth full threescore miles, and had by just 
account within its walls twelve thousand churches, 
besides abbeys, priories, and houses of religion. When 
St George with his stately attendants entered the gates, 
they were presently entertained with such a joyful 
sound of bells, trumpets, and drums, that it seemed like 
the inspiring music of heavenly angels, and to exceed 
the royalty of Caesar in Rome, when he returned from 
the world's conquest: the streets were beautified with 
stately pageants, contrived by scholars of ingenious 



1C8 CORONATION OF SABRA. 

capacity, the pavement strewed with all manner of 
odoriferous (lowers, and the wails hung with Indian 
coverlets, and curious tapestry. 

The coronation of Sabra, which was royally performed, 
requires a golden pen to describe and a tongue dipped 
in the conserves of the Muses' honey to declare: Egypt 
was honoured with triumphs, and Grand Cairo with 
tilts and tournaments. Through every town was pro- 
claimed a solemn festival day in remembrance of the 
new-crowned queen; no tradesman nor artificer was 
suffered to work that day, but was charged, upon pain 
of death, to hold it as a day of triumph, a day of joy, 
and a day of pleasure. In these festivities St George 
was a principal performer, till thirst of honour sum- 
moned him to arms: the remembrance of the Chris- 
tian champions in Persia caused him to cut short his 
pastimes, and to buckle on his corslet of steel, which 
had not glittered in the field of Mars for four-and- 
twenty days ; but of his noble deeds and adventurous 
proceedings, I will at large discourse, and leave all 
other pastimes to the newly invested queen and her 
ladies. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



The bloody battle betwixt the Christians and Persians : and how the ne- 
cromancer, Osmond, raised up, by his magic art, an army of spirits to 
fight against the Christians; how the six champions were enchanted, 
and recovered by St George; the misery and death of the conjurer; and 
how the Soldan dashed out his brains against a marble pillar. 

Now must we return to the Christian champions, and 
speak of their battles in Persia, and what happened to 



DEFEAT OF THE PERSIANS. 169 

them in St George's absence : for if you remember when 
be had news of his lady's condemnation in England, 
for the murder of the Earl of Coventry, he caused them 
to march into Persia, and encouraged them to revenge 
his unjust imprisonment, upon the Soldan's provinces ; 
and after they had marched about fifty miles, burning 
and spoiling his territories, they were intercepted by 
the Soldan's forces, which numbered about three 
hundred thousand fighting men. But w r hen the muster- 
rolls of the Christians were numbered, they amounted 
only to about one hundred thousand able-bodied 
men; and betwixt the Christians and pagans ensued 
a long and daugerous battle, the like of which in 
any age was seldom fought; for it continued without 
ceasing for the space of five days, to the great effusion 
of blood on both sides, but at last the pagans had the 
worst ; and when they beheld their fields strewed with 
mangled bodies, and that the rivers for twenty miles' 
compass flowed with crimson blood, their hearts began 
to fail, and they fled like sheep before the wolf. Then 
the valiant Christians, thirsting for revenge, speedily 
pursued them, sparing neither young nor old, till the 
ways were strewed with lifeless bodies, like heaps of 
scattered sand ; in which pursuit and honourable con- 
quest they burned two hundred forts and towns, 
battering their towers of stone as level with the ground 
as harvest-reapers do fields of ripened corn. But the 
Soldan himself, with many of his approved soldiers, 
escaped alive, and fortified the city of Grand Belgor, 
being the strongest town of war in all the kingdom of 
Persia, before whose walls we will leave the Christian 
champions planting their puissant forces, and speak of 



170 THE SOLD AN SEEKS OSMOND. 

the diabolical practices of Osmond within the town, 
where he accomplished many wonderful feats by magic 
art : for when the Christians, who had long assaulted 
the walls, sending their fiery bullets to the lofty 
battlements like storms of winter's hail, forced the 
Persian soldiers, unable any longer to resist, unwil- 
lingly to yield, and commit their lives to the mercy 
of the Christian champions, the Soldan, perceiving 
the cowardice of his soldiers, and how they would 
willingly resign his happy government for foreign 
rule, encouraged them still to resist the Christians' 
desperate encounters, and promised to yield within 
thirty days if they had not the honour of the war ; 
which princely resolution encouraged the soldiers to 
obey, determining not to yield up their city till death 
had made triumph on their bodies. Then he departed 
to a sacred tower, where he found Osmond sitting in 
a chair, studying by magic how long Persia should 
remain unconquered, and at his entrance drove him from 
his charms with these words . 

M Thou wondrous man of art," said the Soldan, 
a whom for necromancy the world hath made famous I 
now is the time to express the love and loyalty thou 
bearest thy sovereign ; now is the time thy charmed 
spells must work for Persia's good ; thou seest my for- 
tunes are depressed, my soldiers dead, my captains 
slaughtered, my cities burned, my fields of corn con- 
sumed, and my country almost conquered. I that was 
wont to cover the seas with fleets of ships, now stand 
amazed to hear the Christians' drums, that sound forth 
doleful funerals for my soldiers. I that was wont 
with armed legions to drink up rivers as we marched, 



BOASTING OF OSMOND. 171 

and make the earth groan with bearing our multitudes ; 
I that was wont to make whole kingdoms tremble at 
my frowns, and force imperious potentates to kneel 
at my feet ; I that have made the streets of many a city 
run with blood, and stood rejoicing when I saw their 
buildings burned; I that have made the mothers' 
wombs the infants' tombs, and caused cradles to swim 
in streams of blood ; must now behold my country's 
ruin, my kingdom's fall, and mine own fatal overthrow. 
Awake, great Osmond, from thy dreaming trance; awake, 
I say, and raise a troop of black infernal fiends, to fight 
against the cursed Christians, that like swarms of bees 
do flock about our walls; prevent, I say, my land's 
invasion, and, as I am the monarch of Asia, I'll make 
thee king over twenty provinces, and sole commander 
of the ocean ; raise up, I say, thy charmed spirits, and 
force them to leave burning Acheron empty for a time, 
to aid us in this bloody battle." 

These words were no sooner ended, than there 
rattled such a peal of cannon against the city walls, 
that they made the very earth shake : whereupon the 
necromancer started from his chair, and in this manner 
encouraged the Soldan. 

"It is not Europe," quoth he, "nor all the petty 
bands of armed knights, nor all the princes in the 
world, that shall abate your princely dignity : am not 
I the great magician of the age, that can both loose 
and bind the fiends, and call the blackfaced furies from 
low Cocytus ? Am not I that skilful artist, who 
framed the charmed tower amongst the Amazonian 
dames, which all the witches in the world could never 
spoil? Therefore let learning, art, and all the secrets 



172 BOASTING OF OSMOND. 

of the deep assist me in this enterprise, and then let 
frowning Europe do her worst; my charms shall cause 
the heavens to rain such rattling showers of stones 
upon their heads, that the earth shall be over-laden 
with their dead bodies — indeed, senseless trees shall rise 
in human shapes, and fight for Persia. If wise Medea 
was ever famous for arts, which did the like for safe- 
guard of her father's state, then why should not 
Osmond practise wonders for his sovereign's happiness? 
I'll raise a troop of spirits from the lowest earth more 
black than dismal night, who in ugly shapes shall 
haunt them up and down, and when they sleep within 
their rich pavilions, legions of fiery spirits will I raise 
up, that like to dragons spitting flames of fire, shall 
blast and burn the Christians in their tents of war : 
down from the crystal firmament I will conjure troops 
of airy spirits to descend, which, like to virgins clad in 
princely ornaments, shall link those Christian champions 
in the charms of love : their eyes shall resemble the 
twinkling lamps of heaven, and so dazzle their warlike 
thoughts, that their lively countenances, more bright 
than fairies, shall lead them captive to a tent of love, 
which shall be artificially erected by magic spells ; 
their warlike weapons, that were wont to smoke in 
pagan's blood, shall, in my charmed tent, be hung 
upon the bowers of peace ; their glittering armour, 
that was wont to shine upon the fields of Africa, 
shall henceforth for evermore be stained with rust ; 
and themselves, surnamed for martial discipline the 
wondrous champions of the world, shall surfeit with 
delightful love, and sleep upon the laps of the airy 
spirits that descend from Hades in virgin shape ; 



BOASTING OF OSMOND. 173 

terror and despair shall so mightily oppress their mer- 
ciless soldiers, that they shall yield in honourable con- 
quest to your excellency ; such strange and wonderful 
performances by art shall be accomplished, that heaven 
shall frown at my enchantments, and the earth tremble 
to hear my conjurations; therefore, most mighty 
Persian, number up thy scattered bands, and to-mor- 
row in the morning set open thy gates, and march 
thitherwards, with thy armed soldiers ; leave not a 
man within the city, but let every one that is able to 
bear arms fight for the honour of Persia, and before 
the closing of the night I'll make thee conqueror, and 
yield up the bragging Christians as prisoners to thy 
lnightiness. ,, 

"If this prove true, renowned Osmond, as thou hast 
promised,' 5 said the Poldan, " earth shall not harbour 
that too dear for thee ; for thou shalt have myself, 
my kingdom, crown, and sceptre, at command. The 
wealthy river Ganges — the place where Midas washed 
her golden wish away — shall pay thee yearly with her 
treasure. All things that nature framed precious, 
shalt thou be lord and sole commander of, if thou pre- 
vent the invasion of my country.*' 

And thereupon he took his leave, and left the necro- 
mancer in his study; and as he gave command, his cap- 
tains mode ready their soldiers, and furnished their 
warlike horses, and by the sun's uprising marched into 
the fields of Belgor, where, upon the north side of the 
enemy, they pitched their camp. On the other side, 
when the warlike Christians had intelligence, by their 
courts of guard, that the Persians had entered the field 
ready to give them battle, sudden alarums sounded in 



1 74 CATTLE BETWEEN THE CHRISTIANS AND THE SOLDAX. 

their ear?, and rumours of conquest so encouraged the 
soldiers, that presently they were in readiness to enter- 
tain the Persians to a bloody banquet. Both armies 
were in sight, with blood-red colours waving in the 
air; the Christian champions, richly mounted on their 
warlike coursers, placed themselves in the very front of 
the battle, like courageous captains, fearing neither 
death nor unconstant chance of fortune. But the Sol- 
dan with his petty princes, like cowards, were environed 
and compassed with a ring of armed knights, and 
instead of nimble steeds, they sat in iron chariots. 
Many heroic and princely encounters passed between 
the two armies before they entered battle : but when 
the 'drums began to sound alarm, and the silver 
trumpets gave dreadful echoes of death; when the 
cross of Christendom began to nourish, and the arms 
of Mohammed to be advanced ; then began so terrible 
and bloody a battle, that the like was never found in 
any age ; for before the sun had mounted to the top of 
heaven, the pagans received so great a defeat, and 
so fell before the Christians, that the champions were 
forced to wade up to their knees in blood, and their 
soldiers to fight upon heaps of slaughtered men : the 
fields were altered from a green colour to a purple hue. 
the dales were steeped in crimson gore, and the hills 
and mountains covered with dead men's rattling bones. 
But let us not forget the wicked necromancer Osmond. 
who during the time of this dangerous encounter 
knelt in a low valley, near the camp, with his black 
hair hanging down his shoulders, like a wreath of 
snakes, and with his silver wand encircling the earth i 
who, when he beard the sound of drums in the air. and 



OSMOND RAISES AX ARMY OF FIENDS. 175 

the brazen trumpets giving dreadful sounds of war, 
uttered these fatal and cursed words : 

"Now is this battle," quoth he, "furiously begun, 
for methinks I hear the Soldan cry for help; now is the 
time my charmed spells must work for Persia's victory, 
and Europe's fatal overthrow :" which being said, 
thrice did he kiss the earth, thrice beheld the elements, 
and thrice besprinkled the circle with his own blood, 
which, with a silver razor, he let from his left arm ; 
and then began again to speak in this manner : 

" Stand still, you wandering lamps of heaven, move 
not sw r eet stars, but linger on, till Osmond's charms 
be brought to full effect. O thou great Daemon, prince 
of ghosts; thou chief commander of those fearful 
shapes that nightly glide by unbelieving travel- 
lers ; thou that holdest the snaky sceptre in thy right 
hand, sitting upon a throne of burning steel; thou 
that tossest burning fire-brands everywhere abroad; 
thou whose eyes are like to unlucky comets ; even thee 
I charge to let thy furies loose, open thy brazen gates 
and leave thy boiling caldron empty ; send up such 
legions of infernal fiends that may in number counter- 
vail the blades of grass that beautify those bloody 
fields of Belgor." 

These fatal speeches were no sooner finished, than 
there appeared such a multitude of spirits, both from 
the earth, water, air, and fire, as it is almost incredible 
to report ; these he caused to run into the Christian 
army ; where their burning falchions not only annoyed 
the soldiers with fear and terror, but fired the horses' 
manes, burned the trappings, consumed their banners, 
scorched trees and herbs, and dimmed the elements with 



176 osmond's further proceedings. 

such an extreme darkness, as though the earth had been 
covered with eternal night. He caused the spirits like- 
wise to raise such a tempest, that it tore up mighty 
oaks by the roots, removed hills and mountains, and 
blew up men, horses, and all into the air ; yet neither 
his magic arts, nor all the furies and wicked spirits, 
could any whit daunt the most noble and magnanimous 
minds of the six champions of Christendom ; but, like 
unconquered lions, they purchased honour where 
they went, colouring their swords in pagans' blood, 
making the earth, which they had attired in a blood- 
red livery, true witnesses of their victorious and heroic 
proceedings. And though St George was absent in 
that terrible fight, yet they merited as much honour 
and renown as though he had been present : for the 
accursed pagans fell before their warlike weapons, as 
leaves do from the trees when the blustering storms 
of winter enter on the earth. But when the wicked 
necromancer, Osmond, perceived that his magic spells 
took no effect, and that despite his enchantment, the 
Christians got the better of the day, he cursed his 
heart, and banned the hour and time wherein he at- 
tempted so wicked an enterprise, thinking them to be 
preserved by angels, or else by some celestial means ; 
but yet not purposing to leave off at the first repulse, 
he attempted another way, by necromancy, to over- 
throw the Christians. 

First he erected, by magic art, a stately tent, out- 
wardly in show like the compass of earth; but furnished 
inwardly with all the delightful pleasures that art or 
reason could invent, and framed to enchant the Chris- 
tian champions wl om he purposed to keep as prisoners 



THE SIX CHAMPIONS TEMPTED. 177 

therein with enticing delight. Then he fell again to 
his conjuration, and bound a hundred spirits by due 
obedience to transform themselves into the likeness of 
beautiful virgins: which in a moment they accom- 
plished: and they were framed in form and beauty 
like the darlings of Venus; in comeliness comparable 
with Thetis, dancing on the silver sands; and in all 
proportion like Daphne, whose beauty caused Apollo 
to descend from the heavens: their limbs were like the 
lofty cedars, their cheeks to roses dipt in milk, and their 
eyes more bright than the stars of heaven: they also 
seemed to carry in their hands silver bows, while on 
their backs hung quivers of golden arrows; and upon 
their breasts they had pictured the god of love, danc- 
ing upon the knee of Mars. 

Thus, in the shape or beauteous damsels, he caused 
these spirits to enter the Christians' army, and with the 
golden bait of their enticing smiles, to entangle the 
champions in the snares of love, and with their smiling 
beauty lead them from their soldiers, and bring them 
prisoners into his enchanted tent. Which command being 
no sooner given, than these virgins, more swift than the 
winds, glided into the Christians' army, where their 
glittering beauty so dazzled the eyes of the fix 
champions, and their lively countenances so entrapped 
their hearts, that their princely valour was abated, 
and they stood gazing at their excellent proportions, 
as though Medusa's shadow had been pictured upon 
their faces. Then the enticing ladies spoke to them in 
this manner: 

"Come, princely gallants, come, away with arms, 
forget the sounds of bloody war, and, bang your angry 



1 7S FORTUNATE AKKIVAL OF SI GEORGE. 

weapons on the bower of peace. Venus, you see, bath 
sent her messengers from Paphos, to lead you to the 
paradise of love: there heaven will rain down nectar 
and ambrosia, sweet for you to feed upon, and there 
the melody of angels will make you music." 

These golden promises so ravished the champions, 
that they were enchanted with the ladies, and vowed 
to take their last farewell of knighthood and mag- 
nanimous chivalry. 

Thus were they led from their warlike companies, to 
the necromancer's euchanted tent, leaving their soldiers 
without leaders, in danger of confusion. But the queen 
of Heaven so smiled upon the Christians that at the same 
time St George arrived in Persia, with a fresh supply 
of knights, of whose noble achievements I purpose now 
to speak; but no sooner had he entered the battle, and 
placed his squadrons, than he had intelligence of the 
champions' misadventures, and how they lay enchanted 
in a magic tent, sleeping in pleasure upon the laps of 
infernal furies, whom Osmond had transformed by his 
charms into the likeness of beautiful damsels; which 
unexpected news constrained St George to breathe from 
his sorrowful heart this woful lamentation: 

" Inconstant fortune," quoth he, ••why dost thou 
entertain me with such bitter news? Are my fellow- 
champions come from Christendom to win immortal 
honour with their swords, and lie they now bewitched 
with beauty? shame and great dishonour to Christen- 
dom! O spot to knighthood and true chivalry ! This 
news is far more bitter to my soul, than were the poisoned 
dregs that Antipater gave to Alexander in, his drunken- 
ness, and a deadlier pain unto my heart than was that 



VALOUR OF ST GEORGE. 179 

juice that Hannibal sucked from bis fatal ring. Come, 
soldiers, come; you followers of those cowardly cham- 
pions, unsheath your warlike weapons, and follow him 
whose soul hath vowed either to redeem them from the 
necromancer's charms, or die with honour in that en- 
terprise. If ever mortal creatures warred with cursed 
furies, and made a passage to enchanted dales, where 
devils dance and warlike shadows rule the night: then, 
soldiers, let us march to that pavilion and chain the 
cursed charmer, that hath so highly dishonoured Chris- 
tendom, to some blasted oak." 

These resolute words were no sooner finished, 
than the whole army, before daunted with fear, grew 
so courageous, that they protested they would follow 
him through more dangers than did the Grecian knights 
under noble Jason in the isle of Colchos. Now the 
battle began again to be renewed, and the drums to 
sound fatal knells for the pagan soldiers, whose souls the 
Christians' swords by numbers sent to burning Acheron. 
St George with his sword made lanes of slaughtered 
men, and with his angry arm made a passage through 
the thickest of their troops, as though death had been 
commander of the battle : he caused crowns and 
sceptres to swim iu blood, and headless steeds with 
jointless men to fall as fast before his sword, as drops 
of rain before thunder ; and even in great danger he 
encouraged his soldiers in this manner : " Now, for the 
fame of Christendom, fight ; captains, be now triumphant 
conquerors, or Christian martyrs." 

These words so encouraged the soldiers' hearts, that 
they neither feared the necromancer's charms, nor all 
the flaming dragons, or fierce drakes, that filled the 



180 ST GEOHGE CHAINS OSMOND. 

air with burning lights, nor were daunted by the strange 
encounters of hellish legions, that like armed men with 
burning falchions haunted them. So fortunate were 
their proceedings, that they followed the invincible 
champion to the enchanted tent, where the other 
champions lay surfeiting in love, whilst thousands of 
their friends fought in coats of steel, and merited 
renown by their noble achievements; but no sooner had 
St George, with his warlike followers, arrived before 
the pavilion, than he heard, as it were, the melody of 
the Muses ; his ears were almost ravished by the sweet 
songs of the enchanted virgins; indeed, so pleasant 
were the sights in the tent, and so delightful to his ejes^ 
that he would have been enchanted with their charms, 
if he had not continually borne the honour of knight- 
hood in his thoughts, and that his dishonour would he 
Christendom's reproach ; therefore with his sword he 
attacked the tent, and cut it into a thousand pieces. 
He then discovered the necromancer sitting upon a 
block of steel, feeding his spirits with drops of blood, 
when he immediately caused his soldiers to lay hold of 
him, and chain him to the root of an old blasted oak, 
from which neither art, nor help of all his charms, nor all 
the legions of his devils, could ever after loose him. 
There we will leave him to his lamentations, and tell 
how St George redeemed the champions from their 
enchantments. 

First, when he beheld them disrobed of their warlike 
attire, their furniture hung up, and themselves secretly 
sleeping upon the laps of the ladies, he fell into these 
discontented reproaches : 

'0 heaven," said he, "how my soul abhors this 



THE SIX CHAMPIONS DISENCHANTED. 181 

spectacle! Champions of Christendom arise, brave 
knights stand up, I say, and look about like men. 
Are you the chosen captains of your countries, and 
yet will you bury all your honour in ladies' laps ? For 
shame, arise, I say ; they have the tears of crocodiles, 
the songs of syrens, to ruin you. To arms, brave 
knights; let honour be your loves; blush to behold 
your friends in arms, and blush to see your fellow 
countrymen steeping the fields of Mars with their 
blood. Champions, arise, St George calls, the victory 
will tarry till you come: arise, and tear off the 
womanish attire, surfeit not in silken robes ; put on 
your corselets of steel, your glittering burgonets, and 
unsheath your conquering weapons, that the field of 
Mars may be converted into a purple ocean." 

These heroic words were no sooner finished, than 
the champions, like men amazed, arose, and being 
ashamed of their folly, submissively craved pardon, 
and vowed by protestations never to sleep in beds of 
down, nor ever to unbuckle their shields from their 
weary arms, till they had regained their credit in the 
field, nor ever again be counted his deserving follow- 
ers, till their triumphs were enrolled amongst the 
deeds of martial knights. So, arming themselves with 
approved corselets, and taking their trusty swords, 
they accompanied St George to the thickest of their 
enemies, and left the necromancer chained to the tree, 
who at their departure breathed forth these bitter 
curses : 

"Let hell's horrors, and tormenting pains," said 
he, "be their eternal punishment; let flaming fire 
descend from the elements, and consume them in their 



182 HORRIBLE DEATH OF OSMOND. 

warlike triumphs, and let their ways be strewed with 
venomous thorns, so that their legs may rankle to the 
knees, before they march to their native country. But 
why exclaim I thus in vain, when heaven itself 
preserves their happiness ? Now all my magic charms 
are ended, and all my spirits forsake me in my need, 
and here am I fast chained up to starve and die. 
Have I had power to rend the vale of earth, and shake 
the mighty mountains with my charms? Have I bad 
power to raise up dead men's shapes from lonely 
tombs, and can I not unchain myself from this accursed 
tree? no, for I am fettered up by the immortal 
power of the Christian's God : against whom because 
I did rebel, I am now condemned to everlasting fire. 
Come all ye necromancers in the world, come all ye 
sorcerers and charmers, come all ye scholars from the 
learned universities, come all you witches, beldames, 
and fortune-tellers, and all that practise devilish arts, 
come take example by the story of my fate." 

This being said, he violently, with his own haiids ? 
tore his hair from his head, as a .sufficient revenge, be- 
cause under their baneful direction he was first trained 
to that cursed art. Then betwixt his teeth he bit in 
two his loathsome tongue, because it muttered forth 
so many charms : then into his thirsty bowels he thrust 
his hands because they had so often held the silver 
wand, wherewith he had made his charmed circles: and 
for every letter, mark, and character that belonged to 
his conjuration, he inflicted a several torment upon 
himself: and at last, with sightless eyes, speechless 
tongue, handless arms, and dismemSered body, he was 
forced to give up his condemned spirit. After the 



SUBJUGATION OF THE PERSIANS. 183 

breath of life bad vanished from his earthly trunk, the 
heavens seemed to smile at his sudden fall, and hell be- 
gan to roar at its conquest by his death ; the ground 
whereon he died was ever after that time unfortunate, 
and to this present time it is called in that country, 
M a vale of walking spirits." 

Thus have you heard the diabolical life and miserable 
fall of this accursed necromancer Osmond, whom we 
will now leave to the punishment due to such a wicked 
offender, and speak of the noble and magnamimous 
Christian champions. 

After St George had ended their enchantments, they 
never sheathed their swords, nor unlocked their armour, 
till the subversion of Persia was accomplished, and the 
Soldan and his petty kings were taken prisoners. 
Seven days the battle continued without ceasing : they 
slew two hundred thousand soldiers; besides a num- 
ber that fled away and drowned themselves: some 
cast themselves headlong from the tops of high trees ; 
some made slaughter of themselves or yielded to the 
mercy of the Christians; but the Soldan, with his 
princes, riding in their iron chariots, endured the 
Christian's encounters, till their whole army was dis- 
comfited, and then by force and violence they were 
compelled to yield. The Soldan fell into the hands of 
St George, and six viceroys to the other six champions; 
whOj after they had sworn allegiance to the Christian 
knights, and had promised to forsake the false Moham- 
med, were not only set at liberty, but uded most hon- 
ourably; but the Soldan himself having a heart fraught 
with spite and tyranny, contemned the champions- 
courtesies, and utterly despised their Christian govern- 



184 SUICIDE OF THE SOLDAN. 

went, protesting that the heavens should first lose 
their wonted brightness, and the seas forsake their 
swelling tides, before his heart should yield to their 
desires; whereupon St George, being resolved to re- 
venge his injuries, commanded that the Soidan should 
he disrobed of his princely attire, and in base apparel 
sent to prison, even to the dungeon where he himself 
had endured so long imprisonment, as you heard in the 
beginning of this history; which strict command was 
forthwith performed: in which dungeon the Soidan 
had not long continued, satisfying his hungry stomach 
with bread of musty bran, and quenching his thirst 
with channel water, than he began to grow des- 
perate and weary of his life, and at length ran his head 
against a marble pillar standing in the middle of the 
dungeon, and dashed out his brains. When the news of 
his death came to the champions' ears, they offered no 
violence to his lifeless body, but entombed him in a 
sumptuous sepulchre; and after that, St George took 
upon him the government of Persia, and there estab- 
lished good and Christian laws; he also gave to the 
other six champions six several kingdoms belonging to 
the crown of Persia, and ordained them viceroys, 
or petty kings. This being done he made truce with 
the world, and triumphantly marched towards Christen- 
dom with the conquest of three imperial diadems, 
that is to say, of Egypt, Persia, and Morocco; during 
which journey he erected many stately monuments 
in remembrance of his victories and heroic achieve- 
ments ; and through every country that they marched, 
there flocked to them an innumerable company of 
pagans, that desired to follow him into Christendom, 



THE CHAMPIONS ARRIVE IN CHRISTENDOM. 185 

and to be christened in his faith ; protesting to for- 
sake their gods, whose worshippers were none but 
tyrants, and such as delighted in nothing but shedding 
blood : to whose requests St George acceded, not only 
grauting them their desires, but also honouring them 
with the favour of his noble countenance. 

In this princely manner St George marched with his 
warlike troops through the territories of Africa and 
Asia. But when the Christian champions approached 
the watery world, and began to go on board their ships, 
the earth seemed to mourn at their departure, and the 
seas to rejoice at their presence ; the waves couched 
as smooth as crystal ice, and the winds blew such 
gentle gales, as though the sea-gods had been the 
directors of their fleet. 

Thus in great pleasure they passed the time away, 
committing their fortunes to the mercy of the winds and 
the waters, which so favourably served them, that in a 
short time they arrived upon the banks of Christendom ; 
where, being no sooner come on shore, and past the 
dangers of the seas, than St George in presence of thou- 
sands of his followers, kneeled down on the ground, and 
gave God praise for their happy arrival. After which 
he gave command that the army should be discharged, 
and every one rewarded according to his deserts; which 
was done within seven weeks, to the honour of 
Christendom. 

After this, St George earnestly requested the other 
six champions, that they would honour him with their 
presence in his country of England, and there receive 
the comfort of joyful ease, after the bloody en- 
counters of so many dangerous battles. This invito- 



186 THE CHAMPIONS ARRIVE IN ENGLAND. 

tion of St George not only obtained their consent, but 
added happiness to their willing minds; so they set 
forward towards England, upon whose chalky cliffs they 
in a short time arrived; and after this journeyed 
towards the city of London, where their entertainment 
was so honourable that I want the eloquence of Cicero, 
and the rhetoric of Caliope, to describe it. 

Thus, gentle reader, hast thou heard so much of the 
princely achievements, noble adventures, and honourable 
lives of these renowned and worthy champions. What 
follows relates to the rest of their adventures; also 
the manner and place of their honourable deaths, and 
how they came to be called the Seven Saints of 
Christendom. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



How St George and his companions -were entertai ed in the famous city of 
London: and, afterwards, how Sabra was slain in a wood by the prick? 
of a throny brake. St George's lamentation over her bleeding body ; her 
solemn interment, and the costly monument erected by St George. And 
likewise of the journey the seven champions undertook to Jerusalem, to 
visit the sepulchre of Christ. 

After- St George, with the other six champions of 
Christendom, had brought into subjection all the 
eastern world, as you heard in the former part of this 
history, they returned to England, where they sojourned 
in the famous city of London, a place not only beauti- 
fied with sumptuous buildings, but graced by a number 
of valiant knights, and gallant gentlemen. 

Here the Christian champions laid their arms aside, 
here they huDg up their weapons in the bower of peace, 



ST GEORGE AND THE CHAMPIONS GO HUNTING. 187 

here their glittering corselets rusted in the armouries, 
here was unheard the warlike sound of drums and 
silver trumpets, here stood no sentinels or courts of 
guard, no barbed steeds prepared for battle, but all 
things tended to a lasting peace. 

I omit what sumptuous pageants and delightful 
shows the citizens provided, and how the streets of Lon- 
don were beautified with tapestry, the solemn bells that 
rung them joyful welcomes, and the silver-toned in- 
struments that gave them pleasant entertainment. 

But when the morning sun appeared upon the moun- 
tain-tops, and the clear countenance of the elements 
foretold some coming pastime, St George commanded 
a solemn hunt. Then his knights began to arm them- 
selves in troops, and to mount upon their jennets ; and 
some, with well-armed boar-spears in their hands, pre- 
pared for the game on foot; but St George, like Adonis, 
with silver horns hanging at his back, in scarf of 
coloured silk, was still the foremost in this exercise. 
And Sabra caused a gentle palfrey to be provided, 
whereon she mounted, to be witness of these sylvan 
sports ; she was armed with a curious breast-plate, 
wrought like the scales of a dolphin, and in her hand 
she bore a silver bow of the Turkish fashion, like an 
Amazonian queen, or Diana hunting in the groves of 
Arcadia. 

Thus, in this gallant manner, rode forth these hunters 
to their princely pastime ; but after they had ridden 
about six miles from the city of London, there fell 
from St George's nose three drops of blood ; upon 
which he suddeuly started, and then he heard the 
croaking of a flight of night ravens, that hovered by 



188 DEATH OF SABRA. 

the forest side, all which he judged to be the signs 
of some coming tragedy ; bnt having a princely mind, 
he was nothing discouraged, and little foresaw the woful 
accident that afterwards happened, but with a noble 
resolution entered the forest, accounting such foretell- 
ing tokens as old wives' warnings : but they had not 
passed the compass of half a mile, than they started a 
swift stag, at which they uncoupled their hounds, and 
gave rein to their horses ; but now behold how 
frowning fortune changed their pleasant pastime to a sad 
and bloody tragedy : for Sabra, endeavouring to keep 
pace with them, and being careless of herself, through 
the over-swiftness of her steed, slipped from her saddle, 
and fell upon a thorny brake of brambles, the pricks 
whereof (more sharp than spikes of iron) entered every 
part of her delicate body. And when she perceived 
that she must commit herself to the fury of imperious 
death, she breathed forth this dying exhortation: 

"Dear lord," said she, "in this unhappy hunting 
must you lose the truest wife that ever lay by any 
prince's side ; yet mourn not, nor grieve you my brave 
Christian knights ; but let your warlike drums convey 
me royally to my tomb, that all the world may write 
in brazen books how I have followed my lord through 
many a bloody field, and for his sake have left my 
parents, friends, and country ; but now the cruel Fates 
have wrought their last spite, and finished my life, because 
I was not able to return the love he hath deserved of me. 
Now I feel the chillness of pale death closing the portals 
of mine eyes. Farewell, vain world; dear lord, farewell ; 
you famous followers of my George, and all true 
Christian knights, adieu." 



FRANTIC GRIEF OF ST GEORGE. 189 

These words were no sooner ended, than with a heavy 
sigh she yielded up the ghost ; and St George fell upon 
her lifeless body, tearing his hair, and rending his 
hunter's attire from his back into many pieces. 

He protested never to neglect one day, but daily to 
weep some tears upon her grave, till from the earth did 
spring some mournful flower, to bear remembrance of 
her death, as did the violet that sprung from chaste 
Adonis's blood, where Yenus wept to see him slain. 
The other six champions having recovered themselves, 
protested, by the honour of true knighthood, to 
accompany St George unto the Holy Land bare-footed, 
without either hose or shoe, clad in russet gaberdines, 
like the usual pilgrims of the world, and never to 
return till they had paid their vows at the blessed 
sepulchre. 

Thus in this sorrowful manner they passed the time 
away, filling the woods with echoes or their lamentations, 
and recordiug their griefs to the whistling winds; but 
at last, when black night began to approach, and with 
her sable mantle overspread the crystal firmament, they 
retired with the dead body, to the city of London, 
where the report of this tragical accident drowned their 
friends in a sea of sorrow ; for the news of Sabra's 
untimely death was no sooner bruited abroad, than it 
caused both old and young to lament the loss of so 
sweet a lady. 

This general grief of the citizens continued for the 
space of thirty days ; at the end whereof, St George 
and the other champions interred her body very honour- 
ably, and erected over it a rich and costly monu- 
ment, (in sumptuous state, like the tomb of Mausoleus, 



190 EPITAPH TO SABRA. 

which was called one of the wonders of the world;) for 
thereon was pourtrayecl the queen of chastity with her 
maidens, bathing themselves in a crystal fountain; and 
a turtle dove sitting upon a tree of gold, as a sign of 
the true love that she bore to her bereaved husband. 

Her statue or picture was carved cunningly in ala- 
baster, and laid as it were upon a pillow of green silk, 
like to Pygmalion's ivory image; and directly over it 
hung a silver tablet, whereon, in letters of gold, this 
epitaph was written: 

Here lies the wonder of this present age, 
For beauty, wit, and princely majesty, 
Whom spiteful death, in his imperious rage, 
Ordained to fall through cursed cruelty: 
For as she sported in a fragrant wood, 
Upon a thorny brake she spilt her blood. 

Let ladies fair, and princes of great might, 

With pearly silver tears bedew this tomb; 
Accuse the fatal sisters of despite, 
For blasting thus the pride of nature's bloom ; 
For she sleeps here within this earthly grave, 
Whose worth deserves a golden tomb to have. i. 

Ladies, come mourn with doleful melody, 

And make this monument your settled bower; 
Here shed your brackish tears eternally, 
Lament both year, month, week, day, and hour; 
For she rests here whose like can ne'er be found, 
Here beauty's pride lies buried in the ground. 

Her wounded heart that yet doth freshly bleed, 

Hath caused seven knights a journey far to take 
To fair Jerusalem, in pilgrims' weeds, 
The fury of her angry ghost to slake; 
Because their sylvan sport was chiefest guilt, 
And why her blood was so untimely spilt. 

Then, after the tomb was erected, and all things 



THE CHAMPIONS SET OUT FOR JERUSALEM. 1S1 

executed according to St George's direction, in com- 
pany of the other six champions, he took his journey 
towards Jerusalem, 

They were attired as pilgrims, in russet gaberdines 
down to their feet; in their hands they bore staves of 
ebon- wood, tipt at the ends with silver; the pikes 
thereof were of the strongest Lydian steel, of such 
sharpness, that they were able to pierce a target of 
tortoiseshell; upon their breasts hung crosses of 
crimson silk, to signify they were Christian pilgrims, 
travelling to the sepulchre of Christ. 

In this manner they set forward from England in the 
spring time of the year, when Flora had beautified the 
earth with nature's tapestry, and made their passage 
as pleasant as the gardens of Hesperides adorned at all 
times with oderiferous flowers. As they crossed the 
seas, the silver waves seemed to lie as smooth as crystal 
ice, and the dolphins to dance above the waters as a 
sign of a prosperous journey; while, in travelling by land, 
the way seemed so short and easy, and the chirping 
melody of birds made such music as they passed, 
that in a short season they arrived beyond the borders 
of Christendom, and entered Africa. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Of the adventure of the golden fountain in Damasco. How six of trie 
Christian champions were taken prisoners by a mighty giant ; and how, 
afterwards, they were released by St George. And, also, how he 
redeemed fourteen Jews out of prison. With divers other strange aeci 
dents that happened. 

After the Christian champions had journeyed in their 
pilgrim's attire through many strange countries, they 



192 THE CHAMPIONS ARRIVE IN DAM A SCO. 

at last arrived upon the confines of Damasco, which is 
a country not only beautified with sumptuous costly 
buildings, framed by the curious architecture of man's 
device, but also furnished with all the precious gifts 
that nature in her greatest liberality can bestow. 

In this fruitful dominion the Christian champions 
rested their weary steps, and made their abode in the 
house of a rich and courteous Jew, a man that spent 
his wealth chiefly in the succour and comfort of 
travellers and wandering pilgrims; his house was not. 
as usual, framed curiously of carved timber work, but 
erected with blue stone, and supported upon many 
stately pillars of the purest marble. The gates and 
entry of his house were continually kept open, in sign 
of his bountiful mind ; over the portal thereof hung 
a brazen table, whereon was most curiously engraven 
the picture of Ceres, the goddess of plenty, decked 
with garlands of wheat, wreaths of olives, bunches of 
vines, and all manner of fruitful things ; the chamber 
wherein these champions took their nightly repose and 
golden sleep was garnished with as many windows of 
crystal glass as there were days in the year, and the 
walls painted with as many stories as were years since 
the world's creation. It was likewise built four square, 
after the manner of pyramids in Greece; on the north 
side were painted high mountains of snow, whose tops 
seemed to reach the clouds, and mighty woods over- 
hung with silver icicles, which is the nature of the 
northern climate. Lastly, upon the west side of the 
chamber sat the god of the seas, riding upon a dolphin's 
back, a troop of mermaids following him, with their 
golden tresses floating upon the silver waves. Thus in 



THEIR HOSPITABLE RECEPTION BY A JEW. 193 

this chamber rested these weary champions a long 
season, where their food was not delicious, but whole- 
some, and their service not curious, but homely. The 
courteous Jew, their friendly host, whom nature had 
honoured with seven comely sons, daily kept them 
company, and not only showed them the curiosities of 
liis habitation, but also described the pleasant situation 
of his country. 

Some days were spent in this manner, to the exceed- 
ing great pleasure of the Christian knights ; and when 
dark night approached, and the wonted time of 
sleep summoned them to their silent and quiet rest, 
the Jew's children, being seven as brave and comely 
boys as ever dame Nature framed, filled the seven 
champions' ears with such sweet and delicate melody, 
gently strained from their ivory lutes, that not Arion, 
who concentrated within himself all the powers of 
sweet music, and who, forsaken by man, won the 
favour of the dolphin, was comparable to them ; so 
that the Christians were enchanted with such delight 
that their sleep seemed to be as pleasant as were the 
sweet joys of Elysium. But when the courteous Jew 
had intelligence that they were Christian knights, and 
such admired, martial champions, whom Fame had 
canonized to be the wonders of the world for martial 
discipline and knightly adventures: and finding a fit 
opportunity, as he walked in their company upon an 
evening, under an arbour of vine-branches, he revealed 
to them the secrets of his soul, and the cause of his 
dwelling so sad and solitary. Standing bare-headed iii 
the middle of the champions, with his white hair hang- 
ing down to his shoulders, in colour like the silver 

o 



194 THE STORY OF THE WONDERFUL FOUNTAIN. 

swan, and softer than the down of thistles, or Median 
silk untwisted, he began, with a sober coimtenance and 
gallant demeanour, to speak as follows : — 

"lam sure," quoth he, "you invincible knights, 
that you marvel at my solitary course of living, and 
that you greatly muse wherefore I withdraw myself 
from the company of the world, except my seven 
sons, whose sight is my chief comfort, and the only 
prolonger of my life; therefore prepare your ears to 
listen to the strangest discourse that ever tongue pro- 
nounced, or wearied old man in the height of his 
extremity delivered. I was, in my former years, whilst 
fortune smiled upon my happiness, the principal com- 
mander and chief owner of a certain fountain, of such 
wonderful and precious virtue, that it was valued to 
be worth the kingdom of India: the water thereof was 
so strange in its operation, that in four-and-twenty 
hours it would convert any metal, as brass, copper, iron, 
lead, or tin, into rich refined gold; stony flint into pure 
silver; and any kind of earth into excellent metal. By 
virtue thereof, I have made the leaves of trees a flour- 
ishing forest of riches, and the blades of grass valuable 
as the jewels that are found in the country of America. 
The virtue thereof was no sooner noised through the 
world, than it caused many foreign knights to try the 
adventure, by force of arms to bereave me of the hon- 
our of this fountain. But at that time nature graced 
me with one-and-twenty sons, of whom seven are yet 
living, and the only comfort of my age; bat the other 
fourteen, whom frowning fortune hath bereaved me of, 
many a day, by their valiant prowess and matchless 
fortitude, defended the fountain from many great and 



THE STORY OF THE WONDERFUL FOUNTAIN. 195 

furious assailants; for there was no knight in all the 
world that was found so hardy, or of such invincible 
courage as to attempt to encounter with any of my 
valiant sons, who was not either taken prisoner, or 
slain in the combat. The fame of their valour, and the 
riches of the fountain, ran through many strange 
countries; and lastly, came to the ears of a furious 
giant, dwelling upon the borders of Arabia, who, at 
the report thereof, came in his coat of steel, armed 
with a mighty bar of iron on his neck, like furious 
Hercules, that burst the brazen gates • of Cerberus, 
and bore the mighty mountain Atlas upon his shoulders; 
he was the conqueror of my sons, and the first cause 
of my sudden downfall. For when I had intelligence 
of the overthrow of fourteen of my sons, and that he 
had made conquest of my wealthy fountain, I with the 
rest of my children, thinking all hope of recovery to be 
past, betook myself to this solitary course of life ; 
where, ever since, in this mansion or hermitage, we 
have made our abode and residence, spending our 
wealth in the relief of travelling knights and wandering 
pilgrims, hoping once again that smiling fortune would 
advance us to some better fate; and, to be plain, right 
worthy champions, since theu, my hope was never at 
the height of full perfection till this present time, when 
your excellent presence almost assures me that the 
hideous monster shall be conquered, my fountain re- 
stored, and my sons' death (for dead they must be) 
revenged." 

The champions with great attention gave ear to 
the strange discourse of this reverend Jew, and intended, 
in requital of his extraordinary kindness, to undertake 



196 DETERMINATION OF THE CHAMPIONS. 

this adventure; and to encourage the others St George 
began in this manner to utter his mind, speaking both 
to the Jew, their host, and his valiant fellow-champions ■ 

"I have not without great wonder, most reverend 
and courteous old man, heard the strange discourse of 
thy miraculous fountain, and do not a little lament, that 
one of so kind and liberal a disposition should be lis- 
possessed of such exceeding riches ; neither am I less 
sorry so inhuman a monster, and known enemy to all 
courtesy and kindness, should have the enjoyment 01 
such exceeding great treasure; for to the wick 
wealth is the cause of their greater wickedness, 
that which most grieveth me is, that having had so 
many valiant knights for thy sons, they were all so un- 
fortunate as to fall into the hands of that relentless 
monster: but be comforted, kind old roan, for I trust, 
by the power of my Maker, we were directed hither to 
punish that hateful giant : revenge the injuries offered 
t > thine age ; satisfy with his death the death of thy 
children, if they be dead ; and restore to thy bounteous 
possession that admirable rich fountain again. 

" And now to you, my valiant champions, I sr 
who with me have striven through so many dangers ; 
let us courageously attempt this rare adventure, wherein 
such honour to our names, such happiness to our friends, 
such glory to God consists, in recovering right to the 
wronged, and justly punishing the wrong the 

oppressed : and that there may be no contention among 
ns, who shall begin this adventure, for I know you all 
thirst after honour, let lots be made, and to whomso- 
ever the chief lot falleth, let him be foremost in assailing 
the giant, and so good fortune be our guide." 



ADVENTCUES OF ST DENIS. 197 

The champions, without more words, unrobed them- 
selves from their pilgrim's attire, and each selected an 
armour, fitting to their portly bodies, then ready in 
the Jew's house ; instead of their ebon staves tipt with 
silver, they wielded in their hands steeled blades ; and 
their feet, accustomed to endure a painful pilgrimage 
upon the bare ground, were now ready dressed to 
mount the lofty stirrup : but, as I said, they purposed 
not generally to assail the giant, but singly ; every one 
to try his own fortune, thereby to obtain the greater 
honour, and their deeds to merit the higher fame. 
Therefore the lots being cast among themselves, which 
should begin the adventure, the lot fell first to St Denis, 
the noble champion of France, who greatly rejoiced at 
his fortune, and departed for the night, to get things in 
readiness : and the next morning, no sooner had the 
golden sun displayed his beauty in the east, than St 
Denis arose from his sluggish bed, and attiring himself 
in costly armour, mounted upon a steed of iron- 
grey, with a spangled plume of purple feathers on his 
burgonet, beset with stars of gold, resembling the 
azure firnament, beautified w T ith glittering stars. After 
he had taken leave of the other champions, and had 
demanded of the Jew where the giant had his residence, 
he departed on his journey, and before the sun had 
mounted to the top of heaven, he approached the giant's 
presence, who w r as sitting upon a block of steel, directly 
before the golden fountain, satisfying his hunger with 
raw flesh, and quenching his thirst with the juice of 
ripe grapes. 

The first sight of this ugly and deformed monster 
almost daunted the valour of the French champion, and 



198 THE GIANT DEFEATS ST DENIS. 

he stood amazed, doubting whether it were better to 
try the adventure, or return with dishonour to his 
fellow-knights ; but having a heart furnished with true 
magnanimity, he choose rather to die in the encounter, 
than to return with infamy : so committing his trust to 
the inconstant qu-en of chance, he spurred forth his 
horse, and assailed the giant so furiously, that the 
strokes of his sword sounded like a weighty bolt 
hammering upon an anvil. But so little regarded the 
giant the puissant force of this single knight, that he 
would scarcely rise from the place where he sat ; but 
remembering a strange dream that a little before he 
had in his sleep, which revealed to him that a knight 
would come Irom the northern parts of the earth, 
who should alone end the adventure of the fountain, and 
vanquish him by fortitude ; and not willing to be taken 
at an advantage, he suddenly started up, and with a 
grim countenance he ran upon St Denis, and took him, 
horse, armour, furniture, and all, under his arm, as 
lightly as a strong man would take a sucking infant 
from his cradle, and bore him to a hollow rock of stone, 
bound about with bars of iron, standing near the foun- 
tain, in a valley betwixt two mighty mountains : in 
which prison he enclosed the French champion, with four- 
teen other knights, sons of the courteous Jew, as you 
heard before related ; and being proud of this success, 
he returned to his block of steel : where we will leave 
him sitting, glorying in his own conceit, and speak of the 
other champions remaining in the Jew's house, expecting 
the French knight's fortunate return. But when night 
had taken possession of the elements, and no news was 
heard of the champion's success, they thought that he 




.- femes : : S boh 



THE LUCK OF ST JAMES. 199 

was either slain in the adventure, or else discomfited, and 
taken prisoner; and therefore they cast lots again, which 
of them the next morning should try his fortune, and 
revenge the French knight's quarrel : so the lot fell to 
St James, the noble champion of Spain, whereat his 
princely heart rejoiced more than if he had been made 
king of the western world. So, in like manner, the 
next morning by break of day, he attired himself in rich 
and costly armour like the other champion, and mounted 
upon a Spanish jennet, in pace most swift and speedy, 
and in portly state like Bucephalus, the proud steed of 
Macedonian Alexander ; his caparison was in colour 
like the waves of the sea ; his burgonet was beautified 
with a spangled plume of sable feathers, and upon his 
breast he bore the arms of Spain. Thus in this gallant 
manner he departed from the Jew's habitation, leav- 
ing the other champions at their divine supplications 
for his happy success; but his fortune chanced 
contrary to his wishes, for at the giant's first en- 
counter he was likewise borne to the rock of stone, to 
accompany St Denis. 

This giant was the strongest and hardiest man at 
arms that ever set foot upon the confines of Damasco ; 
his strength was so invincible, that at one time he 
durst encounter with a hundred knights. But no# we 
return again to the other champions, who when night 
approached, and St James missing, cast lots the third 
time, and it fell to the noble champion of Italy, St 
Anthony ; who on the next morning attired himself in 
costly habiliments of war, and mounted upon a Bar- 
bary palfrey, as richly as did the valiant Jason, when 
he ventured into the Isle of Colchis for the golden 



200 ST ANTHONY AND ST ANDREW UNFORTUNATE. 

fieece and for Medea's love ; his helmet glittered like 
an icy mountain, decked with a plume of ginger- 
coloured feathers, and beautified with many silver pen- 
cants. But his glory was soon blemished by a cloud 
of mischance, for although he was as valiant a knight as 
ever brandished weapon in the field of Mars, yet he 
found the inability of his fortitude to withstand the 
furious blows of the giant, and he was forced to yield 
himself prisoner like the former champions. 

The next lot that was cast fell to St Andrew of 
Scotland, a knight as highly honoured for martial 
discipline as any of the rest ; his steed was clad after 
the manner of the Grecians ; his armour varnished with 
green oils, like the colour of the summer fields; upon 
his breast he bore a cross of purple silk, and on his 
burgonet a goodly plume of feathers; but yet fortune so 
frowned upon his enterprise, that he nothing pre \: 
but committed his life to the mercy of the giant, who 
likewise imprisoned him with the other knights. The 
fifth lot fell to St Patrick of Ireland, as brave a knight 
as ever nature created, and as adventurous in his 
achievements. If ever Hector upon his Phrygian steed 
pranced up and dowm the streets of Troy, and i 
that age admire his fortitude, this Irish knight might 
emulate his valour ; for no sooner had the moon 
forsook the azure firmament, and had committed her 
charge to the golden burnished sun, than St Patrick 
approached in sight of the giant, mounted upon his 
Irish steed, clad in a proof corselet, beautified with 
silver nails ; his plume of feathers of the colour of a 
virgin's hair; his horse covered with a veil of orange- 
tawny silk, and his saddle bound about with plates of 



ST DAVID LIKEWISE DEFEATED. 201 

steel, like an iron chair. The sight of this valiant 
champion so daunted the courage of the giant, that he 
thought him to be the knight the vision had revealed, 
by whom the adventure should be accomplished : 
therefore with no cowardly fortitude he assailed the 
Irish knight, who with as princely valour endured the 
encounter ; but the unkind destinies not intending 
to give him the honour of the victory, compelled the 
champion to yield to the giant's force, and as a 
captive to accompany the other imprisoned champions. 
The next lot fell to St David of Wales, who, 
nothing discouraged by the failure of the other 
Christian knights, at the rise of the morning sun into 
the azure firmament, glittered in his silver armour 
before the fountain, with a golden griffin shining on his 
breast, and endured a long and dangerous combat with 
the giant, making the skies resound with echoes of their 
strokes; but at last, when the giant perceived that St 
David began to grow almost breathless in warding off the 
huge and mighty blows of his steeled bat, and chiefly 
through his long encounter, he renewed his strength, 
and so redoubled his strokes that St David was con- 
strained, like the other Christian champions, to yield to 
the giant's mercy. 

But now the heroic champion of England, St George, 
he that was fame's true knight and the world's wonder, 
remaining in the Jew's pavilion and pondering on the 
bad fortune of the other six champions, and that it 
was his turn to try his fortune the next morning in the 
adventure, fell into the following contemplation: "I who 
have fought for Christian knights in fields of purple 
blood, and made my enemies to swim in streams of 



. _ SI EOBGE PEEP ARES FOR THE AI VMMJMB , 

m gore, shall not I now confound this bloody 
and inhuman mons hath discomfited six of the 

braves : k ights I : t i re framed? I slew the 

burning dragon in Egypt; I conqnered the terrible 
giant that kept the enchanted castle amongst the 
Amazons: then, fortune, let me accomplish this dan- 
gerous :ure, that all Christians and Christian 
knights may applaud my name." 
In this manner he spent the night, hoping for the 
; ?cess of the next day's enterprise, wherein he 

I, by the honour of his golden garter, either to 
return a worthy conqueror, or valiantly to die with 
honour. And when the day began to beautify the 
eastern elements with a fair purple colour, he repaired 
to the Jew's armoury, and clad himself in a black 
; jrsr'rt. n :u.r.:izz liriSrl: :.: :i :- ; J "--7 = :■:'.: ~~i s:~i 
adorned with a blood-red caparison, in sign of a bloody 
and tragical adventure; his plume of feathers was Mke 
a flame of fire quenched in blood as a token of speedy 
revenge: he armed himself, not with a sturdy lance, 
bound about with plates of brass, but took a javelin 
made of steel, the one end sharpened like the point of 
a needle, at the other end a ball of iron, in fashion of a 
mace or club. Being thus armed, according to his 
leore, he fee leave rf the Jew and his seven sons, 
all attired in black and mournful garments, praying 
for his happy and fortunate success, and so departed 
speedily to the golden fountain, where he found the giant 
sleeping carelessly upon his Uodk :: steel, dreading no 
coming fanger. But when the valiant champion St 

je ghted from his horse, and sufficiently beheld 
the deformed proportion of the giant, how the hair of 



ST GEORGE SLAYS THE GIANT. 203 

his head stood staring upright, like the bristles of a 
wild boar; his eyes gazing open like two blazing comets; 
his teeth long and sharp, like spikes of steel; the nails 
of his hands like the talons of an eagle, over which were 
drawn a pair of iron gloves ; and every other limb huge 
and strongly proportioned, like the body of some 
mighty oak; the worthy champion awakened him 
thus: " Arise," said he, " unreasonable, deformed mon- 
ster, and either make delivery of the captive knights, 
whom thou wrongfully detainest, or prepare thy horrid 
selr to abide the uttermost force of my warlike arm and 
death-prepared weapon." 

At which words the furious giant started up, as one 
suddenly amazed or affrighted from his sleep, and with- 
out making any reply, took his iron mace fast in both 
his hands, and with great terror struck at the most 
worthy English champion, who with exceeding cunning 
and nimbleness, defended himself from the danger, by 
avoiding the violent blows; and returned on his 
adversary a mighty thrust, with the sharp end of the 
javelin, which rebounded from the giant's body as if it 
had been run against an adamantine pillar. St George 
perceiving this, turned the heavy round ball end of his 
massive javelin, and so mightily assailed the giant, re- 
doubling his heavy blows with such courageous 
fortitude, that at last he beat the brains out of his 
deformed head, and the giant was constrained to yield 
up the ghost, and to give such a hideous roar, as 
though the whole frame of the earth had been shaken 
by the violence of some clap of thunder. St George 
then cast the loathsome carcass as a prey to the fowls 
and ravenous beasts to feed upon ; and diligently 



L'04 THE CHAMPIONS DEPART FOP. JERUSALEM, 

searched up and down, till lie found the rock wherein 
all the knights and champions were imprisoned ; and 
with his sturdy javelin he burst it asunder, and delivered 
them from their bondage; and afterwards returned most 
triumphantly to the Jew's pavilion, in as great majesty 
and royalty as when Vespasian with his Roman nobles 
and peers returned into the confines of flourishing Italy. 
from the admired and glorious conquest of Jerusalem 
and Judea. 

When the reverend Jew saw the English champion 
return with victory, together with his other six fellow- 
champions, and likewise beheld his fourteen sons safely 
released, his joy so mightily exceeded the bounds of 
reason, that he suddenly swooned, and lay for a time 
in a dead trance, from the exceeding pleasure he 
received. But having a little recovered his senses, he 
gladly conducted them to their several lodgings, and 
there they were at once unarmed, and their wounds 
washed in white wine and new milk, and afterwards 
he banqueted them in the best manner he could devise. 

After St George, with the other six champions, had 
sojourned there for the space of thirty days, having 
replaced the Jew and his sons in their former dignity, 
that is, in the government of the golden fountain, they 
clothed themselves again in their pilgrim's attire, and 
departed on their intended journey to visit the holy 
sepulchre at Jerusalem. 



CHAPTER XX. 

Of the champions' arrival at Jerusalem, and -what befell them there; and 
afterwards, when they were almost famished in a wood, how St George 
obtained them food in a giant's house by his valour: with other matieis 
ot interest 

The champions, after this battle of the golden foun- 
tain, never rested till they arrived at the holy hill of 
Sion, and had visited the sepulchre, which they found 
most richly built of the purest marble, garnished 
curiously by cunning architecture, with many carbuncles 
of jasper, and pillars of jet. The temple gates were 
of burnished gold, and the portals of refined silver : 
and in it burned a sweet-smelling taper, always main- 
tained by twelve of the noblest virgins dwelling in 
Judea, clad in silken ornaments. These worthy cham- 
pions offered up their ceremonious devotions at that 
sacred tomb, washing the marble pavement with their 
true and unfeigned tears, and testifying their real 
and hearty zeal by their continual sighs. But at last, 
upon an evening, when Titan's golden beams began to 
descend the western element, as these princely-minded 
champions, in company of the twelve admired 
maidens, knelt before the sepulchre, offering up 
their evening orisons, an unseen voice from a hollo w 
vault in the temple uttered these words : 

"You magnanimous knights of Christendom, whose 
true nobility circle the earth with reports of fame, 
whose bare feet for the love of our sweet Saviour have 
set more weary steps upon the parched earth than 
there be stars within the golden canopy of heaven, re- 
turn: return into the bloody fields of war, and spend 



206 THE CHAMPIONS WARNED TO DEPART. 

not your valuable time in this ceremonious manner, 
for great things by you must be accomplished, such as 
in time to come shall fill large chronicles, and cause 
babes as yet unborn to speak of your achievements. 
And you, chaste maidens, that spend your time in the 
service of God, even by the plighted promise you have 
made to true virginity, I charge you to furnish forth 
these warlike champions with such approved furniture 
as hath been offered to this royal sepulchre by those 
travelling knights, who have fought under the banner 
of Christendom. This is the pleasure of high Fate, 
and this, for the redress of all wronged innocents on 
earth, must be with all immediate despatch accom- 
plished." 

This unexpected voice had no sooner ceased than the 
temple seemed strangely to resound, as with the melody 
of celestial angels, or the holy harmony of cherubims j 
whereupon the twelve virgins arose from their con- 
templations, and conducted the seven champions to the 
farther side of Mount Sion, and there bestowed upon 
them seven of the bravest steeds that they ever beheld, 
with martial furniture answerable thereunto, befitting 
knights of such esteem. Thus the Christian champions, 
being proud of their good fortune, attired themselves 
in rich and sumptuous corselets, and after mounting 
their warlike coursers, and kindly bidding the ladies 
adieu, betook them to the world's wide field. 

This journey commenced at the time of the year when 
the summer's queen begins to spread her beauteous man- 
tle amongst the green and fresh boughs of the high and 
mighty cedars, when all kinds of small birds fly round 
about, recreating themselves in the beauty of the day, 



THE CHAMPIONS ALMOST FAMISHED. 207 

and with their well-toned notes make a sweet and 
heavenly melody. At which time, I say, these mighty 
and well- esteemed knights, the seven champions of 
Christendom, took the way from Jerusalem which they 
thought to be most used ; in which they had not 
travelled many days through the deserts, and over many 
a mountain top, till they grew feeble for lack of their 
accustomed victuals, and could not hide nor dissemble 
their great hunger. One evening, when they had spent 
the day in great extremity, and night grew on, they 
came into a thicket of mighty trees, where the silver 
moon with her bright beams glittered most clearly; 
yet to them it seemed to be as dark as pitch, for they 
were very sore troubled for lack of that which should 
sustain them, and their faces showed and declared the 
perplexities of their stomachs. So they sat down upon 
the green and fresh herbs, very pensive in their extreme 
necessity, preparing to take their rest that night ; but 
all was in vain, for their corporal necessities would not 
consent thereto ; and without sleeping any that night, 
the next day in the morning they turned to their 
accustomed travel and journey, thinking to find some 
food for the cherishing of their stomachs, and kept their 
eyes always gazing about to spy some village or house, 
where they might satisfy their hunger and take their 
rest. Thus in this helpless manner they spent the next 
day, till the closing of the evening light, by which time 
they grew so faint that they fell to the ground from 
feebleness. 

, The next morning, by the time the golden sun had 
almost mounted to the top of heaven, and the glorious 
prime of day began to approach, they travelled till they 



208 ST GEORGE SLAYS A GIANT. 

came into a field in the midst of which was a little moun- 
tain, ontof which there appeared a great smoke, which 
gave them to understand that there should be some 

habitation io that place. Then the princely-minded 
St George said to the other champions : "Take comfort. 
and by little and little come forward at an easy pace, 
and I will ride before to see who shall be our host this 
night; and of this, brave knights and champions, be 
assured, whether he be pleased or not, he shall give us 
lodging and entertainment like travelling knights.'" 
And thereupon he set spurs to his horse, and swiftly 
scoured away; his beast was so speedy, that in a short 
time he approached the mountain, when at the noise 
and rushing of his horse in running, there arose from 
the ground a terrible giant, of so great height, that he 
seemed to be a big grown tree, and for hugeness like a 
rock of stone ; and when he cast his staring eye^ upon 
the English knight, which resembled two great 
brazen plates, or two ever-flaming torches, he laid his 
hand upon a mighty clab of iron which lay by him, 
and came with great speed to meet St George \ 
and when he approached his presence, thinking him to 
be a knight of but small valour and fortitude, he 
threw away his iron bat, and came towards the cham- 
pion, intending with his fists to buffet and beat out his 
brains; but the courage of the English champion was 
so great, that he forgot the extremity of hunger, and 
like a courageous knight raised himself in his stirrup-. 
otherwise he could not reach the giant's head, and gave 
such a blow upon his forehead with his falchion, that 
he cut it half asunder, and his brains in great abundance 
ran down his deformed body, so that forthwith he fell 



THE CHAMPIONS SATISFY THEIR HUNGER. 209 

to the ground, and presently died ; his fall seemed to 
make the ground shake, as though a stony tower had 
been overturned ; and as he lay upon the earth he 
looked like a great oak blown up by the roots by a 
tempestuous whirlwind. 

At that instant the rest of the champions came to 
the place, with as much joy as formerly they were sad 
and sorrowful. 

When St Denis, with the other knights, saw the 
greatness of the giant, and the deformity ot his body, 
they praised St George's valour beyond imagination; 
and after some few speeches passed, St George desired 
the rest of the champions to go and see what store of 
victuals the giant had prepared for him. 

Whereupon they entered the giant's honse, which was 
cut out of hard stone, and wrought out of a rock ; 
they found therein a very large copper caldron, 
standing upon a trevet of steel ; the feet and supporters 
thereof were as big as great iron pillars; under it 
burned a huge flaming fire, that sparkled like the fiery 
furnace in burning Acheron. Within the caldron 
was boiling the flesh ot two tat bullocks, prepared only 
for the giant's dinner. 

The sight of this banquet gave them such comfort, 
that every one fell to work, hoping for their pains 
to eat part of the meat ; one turned the beef in the 
caldron, another increased the fire, and others pulled 
out the coals, so that there was not any idle, in hopes 
of the benefit to come. 

After they had satisfied their hunger, St George 
requested the champions to take horse, and mounted 
himself upon his palfrey ; they travelled thence through 

p 



210 TIIEY FALL IX WITH A CURIOUS IMAGE. 

a narrow path, which seemed to be used by the giant, 
and with great delight they journeyed all the rest of that 
day. till night closed in the beauty of the heavens ; at 
which time they had got to the top of a high mountain, 
whence, a little before night, they discovered marvel- 
lous plains, which were occupied by fair cities and towns, 
at which sight the Christian champions received great 
contentment and joy : and so without delay they made 
haste onward, till they came to a low valley lying be- 
twixt two running rivers, where, in the midst of the 
way. they found an image of fine crystal, the picture 
and lively form of a beautiful virgin, all bespotted with 
blood, which seemed to be wrought by the hands of 
some most excellent workman. 

It appeared by the wounds that were cunningly 
formed in the picture, that it was the image of 
lady who had suffered torments, with terrible cutting 
of irons, and cruel whippings ; the lady's legs and 
arms seemed as though they had been wrung with 
cords, and. about the neck as though she had been 
forcibly strangled with a napkin. The crystal image 
lay upon a richly adorned bed of black cloth, under 
an arbour of purple roses ; by this curiously-formed 
image sat a goodly aged man. in a chair of cypress 
wood: his attire was that of an Arcadian shepherd, not 
curious but comely, yet of a black and sable colour, as 
a sure sign of some deadly discontent : his hair hang 
down below his shoulders, like untwisted silk, in white- 
ness like down of thistles; his beard overgrown, dangled 
down as it were frozen icicles upon a hawthorn tree* 
his face was wrinkled and overworn with age. and his 
eyes almost blind, bewailing the griefs and sorrows of 
his heart. 



COMPASSION OF THE CHAMPIONS. 211 

I 

When the Christian champions beheld this strange 
and woful spectacle, they could not refrain from shed- 
ding tears, in seeing before them the image of a woman 
of such excellent beauty, who had been oppressed 
with cruelty ; but the merciful English, knight had the 
greatest compassion when he beheld the counterfeit of 
this tormented creature; and taking truce with his 
sorrowful heart, he courteously desired the old father, 
who sat by this woful spectacle, to tell the cause of 
his sorrow, and the history of the lady's past fortunes, 
for whose sake he seemed to spend his days in that 
solitary manner ; when the old man, with sighs, thus 
replied • 

" Brave knights, to tell the story of my bitter woes, 
and the cause of my endless sorrows, will constrain a 
spring of tears to trickle from the conduits of my aged 
eyes, and make the mansion of my heart rive in twain, 
remembering my undeserved miseries ; but now fortune, 
I see, hatb smiled upon me, in sending you hither to 
work just revenge for the inhuman murder of my 
daughter, whose perfect image lieth here carved in fine 
crystal, as the continual object of my grief; and that 
you may understand the true history of her untimely 
tragedy, which my sorrowful tongue is unable to re- 
veal, I have written it down in a book." 

And thereupon he pulled from his bosom a golden- 
covered book, with silver clasps, and requested St 
George to read it to the rest of the knights, to which 
he willingly consented; so sitting down amongst the 
other champions upon the green grass, he opened the 
book, and read out these sorrowful words. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

What happened to the champions after they had found an image of fine 
crystal in the form of a murdered maiden ; when St George had a golden 
book given him, wherein was written the true tragedies of two sisters. 
And likewise how the champions purposed a speedy revenge upon the 
knight of the Black Castle for the death of the two ladies. 

" In former times, whilst fortune smiled upon me, I was 
a wealthy shepherd, dwelling in this unhappy country, 
and not only held in great estimation for my wealth, 
but also for two fair daughters, whom nature had made 
most excellent in beauty, and in whom 1 took such 
exceeding joy and delight, that I accounted them my 
chiefest happiness; but yet in the end, that which I 
thought should most content me was the occasion of 
these my endless sorrows. 

" My two daughters were endowed with wonderful 
beauty, accompanied by no less modesty; the fame of 
their virtues was much blazed in many parts of the world; 
and consequently there repaired to my lowly cottage 
many strange and worthy knights, with great desire to 
marry with my daughters; but above them all, there 
was one named Leoger, knight of a Black Castle, 
(where he now remaineth,)two hundred leagues distant 
from this place, in an island encompassed by the sea. 

"This Leoger, I say, was so entranced with the 
beauty of my daughters, that he desired me to give 
him one of them in marriage; and little foreseeing the 
treason and cruelty that followed, but rather consider- 
ing the great honour that might redound therefrom, for 
he was a worthy knight, as I thought, and of much 
fortitude, I quickly fulfilled his desire, and granted him 
my eldest daughter in marriage. After Hymen's holy 



THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 213 

rites were solemnized in great pomp and state, she was 
conducted, in company of her new wedded lord, to the 
Black Castle, more like a princess than a shepherd's 
daughter of such low degree. 

" But still I retained in my company the youngest, 
of far more beauty than her elder sister: of which 
this traitorous and unnatural knight being informed 
in a short time forgot his newly-married wife and 
sweet companion, and wholly gave himself over to love 
for my other daughter, without considering that he 
had married her sister. In the end he used policy 
and deceit to get her home into his castle; for when 
the time arrived that my eldest daughter, his wife, 
should be delivered, he came in great pomp, with a 
stately train of followers, to my cottage, and certified 
to me that his wife was delivered of a goodly boy, and 
requested me, with very fair and loving words, to let 
my daughter go to her sister, to give her that content 
which she desired, for she loved her more dearly than 
her own soul. Thus his crafty and subtle persuasion 
so prevailed, that I could not frame an excuse to the 
contrary, but consented to his demands; so when he 
had her in his power whom his soul so much desired, 
he departed, giving me to understand that he would 
carry her to his wife, who so longed to see her, and 
whose coming she would receive with so much joy and 
contentment. Her sudden departure bred such sor- 
row in my heart, (being the only stay and comfort of 
my declining age,) that the fountains of my eyes rained 
down a shower of salt tears upon my aged breast, so 
dear is the love of a father for his child; but to be brief, 
when this haughty-minded caitiff, with his pompous 



214 THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 

train, came in sight of his castle, he commanded his 
followers to ride forward, so that he might have private 
conference with my daughter. And entering along 
with her the most private part of a thick wood, he 
began to open his thoughts to her, and when his fair 
words and enticing speeches could not prevail, his anger 
so increased, that he stared on her face with his 
accursed eyes, fixed so that he could not withdraw 
them. This being perceived by the distressed virgin, 
she, far more -desirous of death than of life, with a 
furious voice said, ' Oh traitor, thou wicked monster, 
thou utter enemy to all humanity, thou shameless 
creature, more cruel than the lion in the deserts of 
Hyrcania; thou stain of knighthood, and the bloodiest 
wretch that ever nature framed in the world! wherein 
dost thou contemplate thus thyself? Thou horrid 
butcher, thou unmerciful tiger, thou dishonour to thy 
race ! make an end, I say, of these my torments, for 
now it is too late for thee to repent; gore my unspotted 
breast with thy bloody weapon, and send my soul into 
the bosom of Diana, whom I behold sitting in her ce- 
lestial palace, accompanied with numberless troops of 
vestal virgins, ready to receive my bleeding spirit into 
her pleasant mansion.' 

" This merciless knight, seeing her stedfastness in 
the defence of her honour, with a cruel and infernal 
heart took a silken scarf which the damsel had girded 
at her waist, and with brutal anger doubled it about 
her neck, and pulled it so strait that her soul 
quickly departed from her body. you valiant 
knights, that by your prowess come to the reading of 
this dismal tragedy, and come to the hearing of these 



THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 215 

bloody lines contained in this golden book, consider tbe 
great constancy and chastity of this unfortunate maiden, 
and let your grief move you to take vengeance for 
this cruelty shown without a cause ! 

" When this infernal knight saw that she was dead, he 
took his horse and rode after his fellows, and in a short 
time he overtook them and looked with so furious and 
ireful a countenance, that there was none durst be so 
hardy as to ask him where my daughter was; but one 
of his squires that bore ine great affection for the 
kindness and c urtesy I offered him at his lady's and 
my daughter's nuptials, having a suspicion from the 
great alteration that appeared in his master, and being 
very desirous to know what was become of the damsel 
because he came alone without bringing her with him, 
drew back and followed the footsteps of the horse, and 
ceased not until he came to the place where this cruelty 
had been wrought ; there he found the maiden dead; and 
on seeing her he remained almost beside himself, so that 
he had well nigh fallen to the ground. The sorrowful 
squire remained thus a good while before he could 
speak; but at last, when he came again to himself, he 
began with a dolorous complaint to cry out against 
fortune because she had suffered so great a cruelty to 
be committed upon this damsel. And making this 
sorrowful lamentation, he unloosed her from the tree, 
and laid her upon part of her apparel which he found 
lying by all besmeared with blood. He afterwards cut 
down branches from the trees and gathered grass from 
the ground to cover the body, and left it so lying that it 
seemed to be a mountain of green grass, or a thicket of 
young trees, and then determined, in the best manner 



21 G THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL DIAGE. 

that he could, to dissemble all knowledge of the bloody 
deed. So he took his horse, and rode the next day towards 
the castle, and proceeded so fast, that he overtook 
the knight and his company entering the gates, where 
the wicked tyrant alighted, and without speaking to 
any person, entered his closet ; so that this kind and 
courteous squire had time to declare all he had seea, 
and the dolorous end of her sister, to the newly-married 
lady. 

" This sudden and unlooked-for sorrow, mixed with 
anger and wrath, was so great in the lady, that she 
caused the squire not to depart from the castle, until 
occasion served, and to keep all things secret that he 
had seen: she herself remained very sorrowful, making 
great lamentation in secret, that it might not be per- 
ceived, while with a soft voice she said : 

" ' Oh unfortunate lady, born in a sorrowful hour, 
when some blazing and unlucky comet reigned ! Oh 
unhappy destiny, that made me wife to so cruel a knight, 
whose foul misdeeds have made the very elements 
blush ! but yet I know that fortune will not be so far 
unkind, but that she will procure a strange revenge 
upon his purple-stained soul. Oh you immortal powers ! 
revenge me on this wicked homicide; it not, I swear 
that I will, with mine own hands, put in practice such 
an enterprise, and so stain my unspotted heart with 
wilful murder, that all the Fates above, and all the 
bright celestial planets, shall sit, and looking from their 
immortal palaces, tremble at the terror of my hate.' 

" This said, she took in her hand a dagger of the 
knight's, and in her arms her young son, then of the 
age of forty days, saying, ' Xow do I wish so much 



THE STOKY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 217 

evil to their race, that I will not leave a son of so 
wicked a father alive ; for I will wash my hands in 
their accursed blood, were their number as many as 
king Priam's children.' 

" And entering the chamber where the knight her 
husband was, and finding him tumbling upon his bed 
from one side to the other, without taking any rest, 
but in his fury rending and tearing the silken orna- 
ments ; with a sorrowful, weeping, and terrible voice, 
she called him traitor, and like a fierce tigress, with 
the dagger that she brought in her hand, before his 
face she cut the throat of the innocent babe, and threw 
it to him on the bed, and said, ; Take there, thou 
wicked traitor, the fruit of our most unhappy mar- 
riage ;' and then she threw the dagger at him also, 
in hopes to have killed him ; but fortune would not 
that it should take effect, for it struck against the 
tester of the bed, and rebounded to her hands ; and 
when the lady saw that it had failed, she turned upon 
herself her outrageous fury, and taking the bloody 
dagger, she thrust it into her heart, so that it parted 
in two pieces, and she fell down dead betwixt the arms 
of him that was the occasion of all this bloody cruelty. 
The great sorrow that this false and unhappy knight 
felt was so strange, that he knew not what counsel to 
take; but thinking upon the severe vengeance that might 
succeed these cruel acts, he devised that the body of 
the lady should be secretly buried ; which while doing 
by himself, in the saddest time of the night, in a soli- 
tary garden under his castle wall, he heard a hollow 
voice breathe from the deep vaults of the earth the 
following speech. 



218 THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 

"'For the bloody act which thou so lately hast com- 
mitted, thy life draws near to a shameful end; and thy 
castle, with all the treasure therein, shall be destroyed, 
or fall into the hands of him whose daughter thou hast 
so cruelly murdered.' 

" Upon this, he determined to use a secret policy, 
which was, to set watch and ward in every passage 
near his castle, and to arrest all such travellers as 
landed upon the island, not suffering them to pass 
until they had promised by oath to aid and assist him, 
even unto death, against all his enemies. 

"In the meantime the squire, who had seen and 
heard all these tragical dealings in the best way he 
could, returned to my cottage, and told me all that 
you have heard, which was to me very sorrowful 
and heavy news. Judge, then, gentle knights, and ye 
beholders of this woful tragedy, what sorrow I, unfor- 
tunate wretch, sustained, and what anguish I received; 
for on hearing the news I fell into a death-like swoon, 
and being come again to myself, I besmeared my milk- 
white hairs, that before were as clean as tried silver, 
with dust; and with my tears, the true signs of sorrow, I 
bathed the bosom of my mother earth. After some 
time, what with grief, and what with want of natural 
rest, my eyes closed, and my senses fell into a heavy 
sleep. 

"As I lay slumbering in the green meadows, I 
dreamed that there was a great and fierce wild man, 
who stood before me with a sharp falchion in his hand, 
making as though he would kill me; whereat methought 
I was so frightened, that I gave many terrible shrieks, 
calling for succour to the empty air. Then, methought, 



THE STORY OF THE CRYSTAL IMAGE. 219 

there appeared before my face a company of courteous 
knights, who said to me, 'Fear not, old man, for we 
are come from thy daughter to aid and succour thee*/ 
but yet for all this the wild man vanished not away, 
but struck with his falchion upon my breast, which 
seemed to open, and then the wild Centaur put his 
hand into the gaping wound, and pulled out my bleed- 
ing heart ; and at the same instant, methought that one 
of the knights likewise laid hold upon my heart, and they 
strove together with much contention, who should puil 
it from the other's hands; but in the end each of them 
remained with a piece in his hand, and my heart parted 
in two. 

" Then the piece which remained in the wild man's 
keeping turned into a hard stone, and the piece which 
remained in the power of the knight was converted into 
red blood, and so they vanished away. Then straight 
after this, there appeared before mine eyes the image 
of my murdered daughter, in the self-same form as 
you behold here pourtrayed ; who, with her naked 
body besmeared with blood, related to me her un- 
happy fortune, and told me where her body lay in the 
woods, dishonoured for want of burial; also desiring 
me not of myself to attempt to revenge her, for it was 
impossible; but to entomb her corpse by her mother, 
and cause a figure of her body to be most lively 
pourtrayed and wrought in fine crystal, in the same 
manner that I found it in the woods, and afterwards 
erect it near a common passage, where adventurous 
knights do usually travel ; and assuring me that thither 
would come certain Christian champions who should 
revenge this injury and inhuman murder. These words 



220 COMPASSION OF THE CHAMPIONS. 

being finished, methonght she vanished away with a 
grievous and heavy groan, leaving behind her certain 
drops of blood sprinkled upon the grass; whereat, 
with great perplexity and sorrow, I awakened out of 
my dream, bearing it in my grieved mind, not telling 
it to any one, not so much as to the air. but with 
all expedition performing her bleeding soul s request. 
Ever since, most courteous and noble knights, I have 
here lamented her untimely death and my unhappy 
fortune, spending the time in writing her doleful 
tragedy in blood-red lines, which I see, with great. 
grief you have read in this book of gold. Therefore, 
most curious knights, if ever honour encouraged you 
to fight in noble adventures. I now most earnestly 
entreat you, with your magnanimous fortitude, to assist 
me to take revenge for the cruelty that hath been used 
against my unfortunate daughter.'" 

On reading this sorrowful history, St George, with 
the other champions, shed many tears, which increased 
in them a further desire of revenge ; and, being moved 
with great compassion, they protested, by their pro- 
mises made to the honour of knighthood, to persevere 
speedily in their vowed revenge and determined 
purpose : so sealing up a promise to their plighted 
oaths, protesting that sooner should all the famous 
Romans be raised from death, from the time of 
Romulus to Caesar, and all the rest unto this time, 
than they should be persuaded to retire from their 
promises, and never to travel back into Christendom 
till they had performed their vows ; and thus, burning 
with desire to see the end of this sorrowful adventure, 
St George clasped up the bloody-written book, and 



THEY SET OUT FOR THE BLACK CASTLE. 221 

gave it again to the shepherd ; and so they proceeded 
towards the island where the knight of the Black 
Castle had his residence, guided only by the direction 
of the old man, whose aged limbs seemed so lusty in 
travelling, that it prognosticated a lucky issue to their 
enterprise. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



Of the preparations that the knight of the Black Castle made by magic art to 
withstand his enemies; how the seven champions entered the castle, 
and of their furious encounters therein; how they were enchanted into a 
deep sleep; afterwards how the castle was surrendered to the champions. 

The wicked Leoger, having become detested and ab- 
horred in every company, as well by noble knights as 
gallant ladies, for the spoils and murders of which he had 
been guilty, and fearing sudden vengeance to fall upon 
his head, fortified himself strongly in his castle, and with 
his treasure hired many furious giants to defend it; 
and lest they failed and should chance to be overcome, 
he consorted with a wicked necromancer, that he with 
charms and spells might work wonders in his castle: 
which magic accomplishments we will pass over till a 
more convenient time, because I purpose to explain the 
history in good order to the reader. 

First, speak we of St George, and the other Chris- 
tian knights, who came in revenge of the shepherd and 
his unfortunate daughter, and with success arrived 
upon the shores of the island where this wicked Leoger 
and the magician had fortified the Black Castle. On 
landing, the champions, like the invincible followers of 
Mars, fearing no danger, nor the frowns of inconstant 



222 THEY ADMIRE THE BEAUTY OF TIIL ISLAND. 

Fortune, betook themselves the readiest way towards 
the castle. On their journey they were almost ravished 

with the pleasures of the island; for entering into a 
straight and narrow lane, garnished on both sides with 
trees of divers sorts, they heard the summer birds re- 
cording their pleasant melodies, making their sweet 
and accustomed songs without fear of any man to 
molest them. In which row of pleasant trees, that de- 
lighted them on both sides, there wanted not the green 
laurel, so much esteemed among learned scholars; nor 
the sweet myrtle tree, loved by ladies; nor the high 
cypress, so much regarded by levers; nor the stately 
pine, which for his flourishing height is called the prince 
of trees : from which they judged it to be rather an 
habitation for gods and goddesses, than a terrestrial 
country, for the golden sun with his guttering beams 
passed through these green and pleasant trees without 
any hinderance of black clouds, for the skies were clear 
as tried silver: the western wind softly shook the 
shivering leaves, making as sweet harmony as if they 
had been celestial cherubims: a thousand little brooks 
ran upon the enamelled ground, making sundry fine 
works by their crooked turnings: and joining one 
water with another, with a very gentle meeting, made 
such silver music, that the champions with the pleasure 
thereof were almost ravished, and little regarded 
whether their horses went right or no; and travelling 
in this way, they rode forward till they came into a 
great and wide meadow, of such exceeding fairness, 
that I am not able with pen to paint the excellency 
thereof. Therein were feeding both wild and tame 
harts, adorned with great and craggy horns: and the 



THEY REACH THE BLACK CASTLE. 223 

furious wild boar, the fierce lion, and the simple lambs, 
were feeding together with as great friendship as if, on 
the contrary, they were not enemies by nature. 

The noble champions were almost overcome and 
amazed to see such strange love, contrary to nature, and 
that there was no difference betwixt the love of wild 
and tame beasts. In this manner they travelled along till 
on a sudden they arrived before the buildings of the 
Black Castle. Below, under the castle, there was an arch 
with a gate, which seemed to be of diamonds, and was 
compassed about with a moat or ditch, and was almost 
two hundred paces broad, and every gate had its 
drawbridge, all made of red boards, which seemed as 
though they had been bathed in blood. After this, 
the champions rode to the other side of this goodly 
castle, wondering at its curious and sumptuous 
workmanship, and espied a pillar of beautiful jasper 
stone, all wrought full of precious stones of strange 
work. This pillar was of great value, and was gar- 
nished with chains of gold, that were made fast to it by 
magic art ; upon it likewise hung a very costly silver 
trumpet, with certain letters carved about the same, 
forming these words : 

kt If any dare attempt this place to see, 
By sounding this, the gate shall opened he; 
A trumpet here enchained by magic art, 
To daunt with fear the proudest champion's heart; 
Look thou for blows that enterest this gate, 
Return in time, repentance comes too late." 

When St George beheld, and understood the meaning 
of those mystical letters, without any more tarrying, he 
set the silver trumpet to his mouth, and sounded such 



224 THEY ENTER THE CASTLE. 

a vehement blast, that it seemed to echo in the founda- 
tion of the castle ; whereupon the principal gate opened, 
and the drawbridge was let down, without the help of 
any visible hand, which made the champions wonder, 
and stand amazed; but yet, not intending to return like 
cowards daunted with a puff of wind, they alighted 
from their warlike steeds, and delivered them into the 
old shepherd's hands, to be fed upon the fragrant and 
green grass, till they had performed the adventure of 
the castle, which they vowed either to accomplish or- 
never to return • so locking down their beavers, and 
drawing forth their keen-edged falchions they entered 
the gates : and being safe within, the champions looked 
about them to see if they could espy anybody, but 
they saw nothing but a pair of winding stairs, by 
which they descended. They had not gone many 
steps, but there was so great a darkness, that they 
could scarce see any light, yet, groping by the walls, 
they kept going down those narrow and turning stairs, 
which were very dark, and of such length, that they 
thought they had descended into the middle of the 
earth. 

They spent a great time in descending these stairs, 
but in the end they came into a very fair and large court, 
encompassed with iron gates like a prison, or a place 
provided to keep untamed lions, and casting their eyes 
up to the top of the castle, they beheld the wicked 
knight walking with the necromancer upon a large 
gallery, supported by great pillars of brass ; there 
were attending upon them seven giants, clothed in 
mighty iron coats, holding in their hands bats of steel. 
The noble and venturous champion of England spoke 



st george's conference with leoger. 225 

with an undaunted courage and loud voice, saying ; 
"Come clown, thou wicked knight, thou that art 
surrounded by these monstrous giants, these wonderful 
works of nature. Come down, I say, from thy brazen 
gallery, and take to thee thy armour. Thou that hast 
a heart to commit the crimes, for whose revenge we 
come, now have courage in thy defence, for we vow 
never to depart out of thy castle till we have con- 
founded thee, or be by thy force discomfited. " 

After which words he held his peace, expecting an 
auswer; and the wicked knight, when he heard St 
George, began to fret and fume; like a starved lion, 
famished with hunger, even so raged Leoger the knight 
of the Black Castle, threatening forth fury from his 
sparkling eyes, and in this vile manner answered the 
noble champion of England : 

" Proud knight/' quoth he, " or peasant, whatsoever 
thou art, I care not the smallest hair of my head, tor 
thy upbraiding me with thy unruly tongue. I will 
return thy uncivil speeches on thyself, for the pavements 
of my castle shall be sprinkled with thy cursed blood, 
and the bones of these thy unhappy followers shall be 
buried in the sinks of my channels. If thou hadst 
brought the army of Caesar, that made all lands tremble 
where he came, yet were they but as a blast of wind 
unto my force. Seest thou not my giants, who stand 
like oaks > upon our brazen gallery ? they at my 
command shall take you from the places where you 
stand, and throw you over the walls of this my castle, 
so that they shall make you fiee into the air more than 
ten falchions high." 

At these words the giants, whom he hired to defend 
Q 



226 THE GIANTS AND THE CHAMPIONS. 

him from his foes, came to him very strongly armed, 
with weapons in their hands, and requested him to be 
quiet, and to abate his anger, and they would bring to 
his presence all those boasting knights who were the 
occasion of his disquiet \ and so, without tarrying for 
an answer, they departed down to the court, and left 
the knight of the castle with the magician standing to- 
gether upon the gallery to behold the coming encoun- 
ters. When the giants approached the champions' 
presence, and saw them so well proportioned and 
furnished, knights of so gallant stature, they flourished 
about their knotty clubs, and purposed not to spend 
the time in words but in blows. 

Then one of the fiercest and cruelest giants of them 
all (who was called Brandamond) seeing St George to 
be first in the enterprise, and judging him to be the 
knight that had so braved his lord, began with a 
stern countenance to speak to him in this manner : 

" Art thou that bold knight," said the giant, " that 
with, thy witless words hath so angered the mighty 
Leoger, the lord of this castle ? If thou be, I advise 
thee by submission to seek to appease his furious wrath 
before revenge be taken upon thy person. Also I charge 
thee (if thou wish to retain thy life), that thou dost 
leave thy armour, and yield thyself, with all thy 
followers, with their hands bound behind them, and go 
and ask forgiveness at his feet." 

To which St George, with a smiling countenance, 
answered : " Giant,'' said he, " I do not like thy counsel, 
nor will I receive thy advice ; rather do we hope to send 
thee and all thy followers without tongues to the in- 
fernal king of fiery Phlegethon ; and that you may not 



SLAUGHTER OF THE GIANTS. 22V 

have any more time to speak such folly, either return 
whence you came, and repent of what you have said, 
or else prepare yourselves for mortal battle." 

When the giants heard the champions' resolution, 
and how slightly they regarded their threats, without- 
longer tarrying they straightway fell upon St George 
and his company, intending with their bats of steel 
to beat them as small as flesh for the pot ; but the 
queen of chance so smiled upon the Christian champions, 
that the giants little prevailed, for betwixt them was 
fought a long and terrible battle, in which the victory 
hung wavering on both sides, not knowing on whom it 
would fall ; the bats and falchions made such a noise 
upon each other's armour, that they sounded like the 
blows of the Cyclops working upon their anvils ; and 
at every blow that was given, fire flew from their steeled 
corselets like sparks from their flaming furnaces; the 
skies resounded with the echoes of their strokes 5 the 
ground shook as though it had been oppressed with an 
earthquake : the pavement of the court was overspread 
with a mixture of blood and sweat, and the strong walls 
of the castle were mightily battered by the giants' 
clubs, By the time that glittering Sol began to decline 
from the top of heaven, the giants began to faint , 
whereat the Christian knights with more courage 
began to increase in strength, and with such vigour 
assailed the giants, that before the golden sun had 
dived to the western world, the giants were quite dis- 
comfited and slain; some lay with their hands dissevered 
from their bodies, weltering in purple gore ; some had 
their brains sprinkled against the walls ; some lay in 
channels, with their entrails trailing down in streams 



228 THE MAGICIAN ENCOURAGES LEOGER. 

of blood; and some jointless, with their bodies cat in 
pieces, so that there was not one left alive to withstand 
the Christian champions. 

St George, with the other six knights, fell upon their 
knees, and thanked the Immortal Director of all good 
chance for their victory But when the knight of 
the Black Castle, who stood upon the. gallery 
during all the time of the encounter, saw how all 
the giants were slain by the prowess of these strange 
knights, he raged in great wrath, wishing that the ground 
might gape and swallow him, before he was delivered 
into the hands of his enemies ; and would have cast 
himself headlong from the top of the gallery, and so 
dashed out his brains against the pavement, had not 
the necromancer, who likewise beheld the encounter, 
intercepted him in his intended drift, and promised 
to perform by art what the giants could not do 
by force. So the necromancer fell to his magic 
spells and charms, by which the Christian champions 
were mightily troubled and molested, and brought in 
danger of their lives in a fearful and strange manner, 
as shall be hereafter shown : for as they stood after 
their long encounter unbuckling their armour to take 
the fresh air and dress the bloody wounds received 
in their last conflict, the magician caused by his art a 
spirit, in the likeness of a lady of marvellous beauty. 
to look through an iron grate, seeming to lean her 
face upon her hand very pensively, and distilling from 
her crystal eyes great abundance of tears. When the 
champions saw this beautiful creature, they remained 
in great admiration, thinking that by some hard mis- 
fortune she was imprisoned. At which the lady seemed 



THE CHAMPIONS FALL INTO A TRAP. 229 

to open her fair and crystalline eyes, looking earnestly 
upon St George ; and giving a grievous sigh, she with- 
drew herself from the grate; her sudden departure caus- 
ing the Christian knights to have a great desire to know 
who she might be, although suspecting that by some 
enchantment they might be overthrown. And casting 
their eyes again to see if they could find her, they 
could not ; but they saw, in the very same place, a 
woman of great and princely stature, who was all 
armed in silver plates, with a sword girded at her 
waist, sheathed in a golden scabbard, and had hanging 
at her neck an ivory bow and a gilt quiver : this lady 
wa3 of so great beauty, that she seemed almost to 
exceed the first ; but, like the other, upon a sudden 
she vanished, leaving the champions no less troubled 
in their thoughts than before. The Christian knights 
had not long bewailed the absence of the two ladies, 
than, without seeing any body, they were stricken with 
such furious blows upon their back, that they were 
constrained to stoop with one knee upon the ground ; 
yet in a trice they rose again, and looking about to see 
who they were that struck them, they perceived them 
to be the images of certain knights, which in great 
haste seemed to run in at a door that was at one of 
the corners of the court ; whereupon the champions 
were immensely enraged at seeing themselves so 
hardly treated, and followed with their accustomed 
lightness after the knights, in at the same door ; but 
they had not proceeded three steps, when they fell down 
into a cave, which was covered over in such a subtle 
manner, that whoever entered the door, straightway fell 
into it, except he was told thereof before. Within the 



230 THE SIX CHAMPIONS ENCHANTED. 

c*ve it was as dark as the silent night ; and when the 
champions found themselves thus treacherously be- 
trayed, they greatly feared some other mischief would 
follow to their utter overthrow ; so with their swords 
drawn, they stood ready to make their defence against 
whatsoever should after happen: but as from the 
great darkness they could not see any thing, nor 
discover wherein they were fallen, they determined to 
settle themselves against something, either post, pillar, 
or wall, and groping about the cave, they searched in 
every place for some other door that might bring them 
forth out of the dark den. 

As they went groping and feeling up and down, 
they found that they trod upon dead men's bones, 
which caused them to stand still ; and not long after 
they espied a secret window, at which entered a little 
sunshine, and gave some light in the den, by w r hich 
they espied a bed most richly furnished with curtains 
of silk and golden pendants, which stood in a secret 
room of the cave, hung with rich tapestry of sable 
colour. The champions, being somewhat weary from 
their long fight with the giants in the court of the 
castle, required some rest, and desired to sleep upon 
the bed, but not all at once, for they feared some 
danger , and therefore St George, as one most willing 
to be their watchman, and keep sentinel in so danger- 
ous a place, caused the other champions to take their 
repose upon the bed, and he would be as wakeful as 
the cock against all dangerous accidents ; so the six 
Christian knights repaired to the bed, whereon they were 
no sooner laid, than they fell into a heavy enchanted 
sleep, so that they could not be awakened by any manner 



INTERVIEW OF ST GEORGE AND THE MAGICIAN. 231 

of violence. The bed was enchanted by the necromancer's 
charms, so that whosoever but sat upon its sides or 
even touched the furniture of the bed, were presently 
cast into as heavy a sleep as if they had drunk the 
juice of henbane, or the seed of poppy. Here we will 
leave them for a time, like men cast into a trance, and 
speak of the terrible adventure that happened to St 
George in the cave. He, little fearing any enchant- 
ments, stood like a careful guard, keeping the furious 
wolf from the spoil of the silly sheep: but upon a 
sadden his heart began to throb, and his hair to stand 
upright upon his head, yet, having a heart fraught 
with invincible courage, he purposed not to awaken the 
other knights, but of himself to withstand whatsoever 
happened; so in this princely resolve, there appeared 
to him, as he thought, the shape of a magician with a 
visage lean, pale, and full of wrinkles, having locks of 
black hair hanging down to his shoulders like wreaths 
of envenomed snakes, and his body seemed to consist 
of nothing but skin and bones, who spoke to St George 
in this threatening manner: 

"In an evil hour," said the magician, "earnest thou 
hither, and so shall thy lodgings be, and thy entertain- 
' ment worse; for now thou art in a place where thou 
shalt look for nothing but to be meat for some furious 
beast, and thy strength shall not be able to make any 
defence." 

The English champion, whose heart was oppressed 
with extreme wrath, answered: " O false and accursed 
charmer, whom ill chance confound for thy condemned 
arts, and for whom the fiends have digged an everlast- 
ing tomb 3 what fury hath incensed thee, that with thy 



232 ST GEORGE ATTACKED BY A WINGED SERPENT. 

false and devilish charms thou dost practise so much 
eril against travelling and adventurous knights? I hope 
to obtain my liberty in spite of all thy mischief, and 
with the strength of this arm to break all thy bones 
to pieces." 

"All that thou canst do, I could suffer at thy 
hands," replied the necromancer, "for the revenge 
that I will take of thee for the slaughter of my master's 
giants, who as yet lie unburied in the court/' and 
thereupon he went invisibly out of the cave. Not long 
after, St George heard a sudden noise at his back, and 
beheld as it were a window opening by little and little, 
whereat there appeared a clear light, by which he 
plainly perceived that the walls were dashed withblood, 
and likewise that the bones whereon they trod at their 
entry into the den were those of human bodies from 
which it appeared not to be very long since the flesh 
was torn off; but this consideration did not long 
endure with him, for he heard a great rushing, and 
looking what it might be, he saw coming forth of an- 
other den a mighty serpent with wings, as great iii 
body as an elephant; she had only two feet, which ap- 
peared out of her monstrous body but of a span length, 
and each foot had three claws of three spans in length; 
she came with open mouth, of so monstrous and huge 
a size, and so deformed^ that a whole armed knight, 
horse and all, might enter in thereat; she had upon 
her jaws two tusks which seemed to be as sharp as 
needles, and all her body was covered with sharp scales 
of divers colours; and with great fury she came with 
her wings out-spread. St George, although he had a 
valiant and undaunted mind, yet could not choose but 



st george's combat with the serpent. 233 

be troubled at the sight of so monstrous a beast. But 
considering that it was now time to have courage, and 
to be expert and valiant in making his defence, he took 
his good cutting sword in his hand, and shrouding him- 
self under his hard and strong shield, waited the 
coming of the ugly monster. When the furious beast 
saw that there was prey whereon she might employ 
her sharp teeth, she struck with her venomous wings, 
and with her piercing claws laid fast hold upon St 
George's hard shield, intending to have at once 
swallowed this courageous warrior; and fastening her 
sharp tusks upon his helmet, which she found so hard 
that she let go her hold, she furiously pulled at his 
target with such strength that she drew it from his 
arm : upon which the English knight struck at her head 
a strong and mighty blow with his sword, but it could 
not hurt her by reason of the hard scales wherewith it 
was covered; yet, though he gave her no wound, for 
all that she felt the blow, so that it made her recoil 
to the ground, and fall upon her long and hideous 
tail; then the valiant knight made great haste to re- 
double his force to strike her another blow, but all 
was in vain, for upon a sudden she stretched herself so 
high, that he could not reach her head. However, 
Fortune so favoured his hand that he struck her upon 
the belly, where she had no defence from scales, nor 
any thing but feathers, and there issued such an abun- 
dance of black blood, that it sprinkled all the den 
about. 

This terrible and furious serpent, when she felt her- 
self so sorely wounded, struck at St George such a 
terrible blow with her tail that if he had not seen it com- 



234 ST GEORGE SLAYS THE SERPENT. 

ing it bad been sufficient to have crushed his body in 
pieces; the knight, to clear himself from the blow, fell 
flat upon the ground, for he had no time to make any 
other defence. That terrible blow had no sooner passed 
over him than straightway he recovered his feet, as the 
furious serpent came towards him. Now, St George 
having great confidence in his strength, performed such 
a valiant exploit, that all former adventures that have 
been ever done by any knight may be put in oblivion, 
and this kept in perpetual memory. For he threw his 
sword out of his hand, and ran upon the serpent, and 
caught her betwixt his arms, and did so squeeze her, 
that the furious beast could not help herself with her 
sharp claws, hut only with her wings she beat him on 
every side. This valiant champion and noble warrior 
would never let her loose, but still remained holding her 
betwixt his arms, continuing this, perilous and dangerous 
fight, till his bright armour was embrued with her bes- 
tial blood, by which she lost a great part of her strength, 
and was disabled from continuing the contest. 

Long endured this great and dangerous encounter, 
and the infernal serpent remained fast to the noble and 
valiant breast of the English knight, till he plainly per- 
ceived that the monster began to get faint, and to 
lose her strength. It could not be otherwise than that 
St George waxed somewhat weary, considering the 
fight he had had so lately with the giants. Not- 
withstanding, when he felt the great weakness of the 
serpent, he animated himself with courage, and having 
opportunity, from the quantity of blood that issued 
from her wounds, he took his trusty sword and thrust 
it into her heart, with such violence that he clove it in 



FLIGHT OF LEOGER AND THE MAGICIAN. 235 

two pieces. So this infernal monster fell down dead 
upon the ground and carried the Christian champion 
with her, for they were fast closed together; but as the 
serpent lacked strength, he quickly cleared himself of 
her claws, and recovered his sword. When ho saw 
certainly he was clear from the monster, and that she 
had yielded up her detested breath, he kneeled down 
and gave thanks to the queen of chance for his happy 
delivery. 

After the victory was thus obtained, and the monster 
dead, the skies began to wax dark, and immediately to 
be overspread with a black and thick cloud, and there 
came such great thunclerings and lightnings, and such 
a terrible noise, as though the earth w r ould have sunk ; 
and the longer it endured, the more appeared the 
fury thereof. 

By this sudden alteration of the heavens, the Knight 
of the Castle knew that the monster was vanquished, 
the champions redeemed from their enchanted sleep, 
.the castle delivered to the pleasure of the knights, and 
his own life to the fury of their swords, except he pre- 
served it by a sudden flight ; so presently he departed, 
and secretly fled out of the island unsuspected by any 
one. 

The necromancer by his art likewise knew that the 
castle was delivered to his enemies' power, and that his 
charms and spells would no more prevail ; he therefore 
caused two airy spirits, in the likeness of two dragons, 
to carry him swiftly through the air in an ebon 
chariot. 

Here we will leave him, because it appertained to our 
history now to speak of the Six Renowned Champions 



236 ST GEORGE REPROVES THE CHAMPIONS. 

of Christendom, who were awakened from their enchant- 
ments. When they had risen from their sleep, and had 
roused up their drowsy spirits, like men newly re- 
covered from a trance, being ashamed of their dishon- 
ourable proceedings, they a long time gazed on each 
other's faces, unable to express their minds but by 
blushing looks, the silent speakers of their extreme 
sorrow ; at last St George began to express the ex- 
tremity of his grief in this manner . 

" What is become of you, brave European champions? 
where is now your wonted valour, of late so much re- 
nowned through the world? what has become of your 
vigorous strength, that hath bruised enchanted helmets, 
and quelled the power of mighty multitudes? what is 
become of your terrible blows, that have subdued 
mountains, hewed asunder invincible armour, and 
brought whole kingdoms under your subjection ? Now 
I see that all is forgotten, for you have buried all 
your honour, dignity, and fame, in slothful slumbers 
upon that silken bed." 

Thereupon he fell upon his knees, and said, " Thou 
that art the guider of all our fortunes, thee I invoke 
and call, and desire thee to help us, and do not permit 
us to have our fame taken away for this dishonour ; 
let us merit dignity by our victories, so that our 
bright renown may ride upon the glorious wings of 
Fame ; whereby babes as yet unborn may speak of us, 
and in time to come fill whole volumes with our princely 
achievements." 

These and such-like speeches pronounced this dis- 
contented champion, till the elements cleared, and 
golden - faced Phoebus glittered with resplendent 



LIBERALITY OF THE CHAMPIONS, 237 

brightness through a secret hole into the cave, which 
seemed in their fancy to dance about the veil of heaven, 
and to rejoice at their happy delivery. 

In this joyful manner, they returned to the court of 
the castle, when they remembered the old shepherd, 
whom they had almost forgotten in the joy that they 
felt in their happy release. He as yet remained without 
the castle gates, carefully keeping their horses ; but 
they caused him to come in, and not only gave him the 
honour clue to his age, but frankly bestowed upon him 
the state and government of the castle, with stores of 
jewels, pearls, and treasures, to be maintained and kept 
for the relief of poor travellers. 

This being concluded with their general consent, 
they spent the remnant of the day in banqueting and 
in pleasant conference upon their strange adventures: 
and when night with her sable clouds had overspread 
the day's delightful countenance, they betook them- 
selves to their rest. 



CHAPTER XXTII. 



How, after the Christian knights were gone to bed in the Black Castle, St 
George was awakened from his sleep in the dead tune of the night, after a 
most fearful maimer; and likewise how he found a knight lying upon a 
tomb that stood over a flaming fire; as also of the soirowful lady that 
came from under the tomb. 

Most sweet was the sleep that these princely-minded 
champions took in the castle all the first part of the 
night; but betwixt twelve and one, such a strange alter- 
ation was wrought in St George's thoughts that he 
could not enjoy the benefit of more sleep, and was 



238 ST GEORGE DISTURBED FROM HIS SLEEP. 

forced to lie broad awake, like one disquieted by some 
sudden fear : and as he lay with wakeful eyes, thinking 
upon his past fortunes, he heard, as it were, a cry of 
night ravens, which flew beating their fatal wings 
against the windows of his lodging, from which he 
imagined that some direful incident was near at hand: 
yet not frightened by the fearful noise, nor daunted 
by the croaking of these ravens, he lay silent, not re- 
vealing it to any of the other champions, who lay in six 
several beds in the same chamber : but at last, being 
between sleeping and waking, he heard as it were, the 
voice of a sorrowful knight, "uttering these words: 

" tliou invincible knight of England, thou that 
art not frightened in this sorrowful dwelling, wherein 
thou canst see nothing but torments, rise up, I say, 
from thy sluggish bed, and with thy undaunted cour- 
age and strong arm break the charm of my enchant- 
ment," 

Thereupon it seemed to give a most terrible groan, 
and so ceased. This unexpected noise caused St 
George to arise from his bed, and to buckle on his 
armour, and to search about the castle to see if he could 
find the place that harboured the knight that made 
such sorrowful lamentations. 

So he went up and down by-corners in the castle all 
the latter part of the night, without finding the source 
of this strange voice, or disturbance from any other 
cause, except that he was hindered from his natural 
and quiet sleep; but on the break of day, when the 
night began to withdraw her sable curtains, and to give 
Aurora liberty to display her purple brightness, he 
entered into a square parlour, hung round about with 



WHAT FOLLOWED. 239 

black cloth, and other mournful habiliments. On the 
one side he saw a tomb, covered likewise with black, 
and upon it there lay a man of a pale colour, who 
at certain times gave most grievous sighs, caused by 
burning flames that proceeded from under the tomb, so 
that it seemed his body would be converted into coals : 
the flame was so stinking, that it made St George 
retire from the place where he saw this most fearful 
spectacle. 

He who lay upon the tomb, casting his eyes aside, 
espied St George, and knowing him to be a human 
creature, with an afflicted voice said, " Who art thou, 
sir knight, that art come into this place of sorrow, 
where nothing is heard but clamours of fear and 
terror F 

tl Nay, tell me,*' said St George, " who thou art, 
that with so much grief dost demand of me that which 
I stand in doubt to reveal to thee." 

li I am the king of Babylon," answered he, " who, 
without consideration, with my cruel hand did pierce 
the white and delicate breast of my beloved daughter. 
Woe be to me, and woe unto my soul therefore ; for 
she at once did pay her offence by death, but I, a 
most miserable wretch, with many torments do die 
living." 

When the worthy champion, St George, was about 
to answer him, he saw come forth from under the tomb 
a damsel, who had hair of a yellow colour, hanging 
down about her shoulders, and by her face seemed 
to be very strangely afflicted with torments ; who with 
a sorrowful voice said : 

11 unfortunate knight, what dost thou seek in this 



240 ST GEORGE IN A DILEMMA. 

infernal lodging, where cannot be given thee plea- 
sure but only mortal torment? There is but one thing 
that can clear thee from it, and this cannot be told 
thee by any other but by me ; yet I will not express 
it, except thou will grant me one request, which I will 
ask of thee." 

The English champion, who with a sad countenance 
stood beholding the sorrowful damsel, being greatly 
amazed at the sight which he had seen, answered and 
said: 

" The powers which are governors of my liberty 
will do their pleasures ; but touching the grant of thy 
request, I never denied any lawful thing to either lady 
or gentlewoman, but with all my power and strength 
I endeavoured to fulfil the same: therefore state what 
thy pleasure is ?" Upon that the damsel threw her- 
self into the sepulchre, and with a grievous voice said : 
"Now, most courteous knight^ perform thy promise; 
strike but three strokes upon this fatal tomb, and thou 
shalt deliver us from a world of miseries, and likewise 
make an end of our continual torments." 

Then the invincible knight replied: "Whether you 
be human creatures," said he, "placed in this sepul- 
chre by enchantment, or furies raised from fiery 
Acheron to work my confusion, I know not; and 
there is so little truth in this infernal castle, that I 
stand in doubt whether I may believe thy words or 
not : but yet tell me the truth of all your past fortunes, 
and by what means you were brought into this place, 
and as I am a true knight, and one that fights in the 
quarrels of Christendom, I vow to accomplish whatso- 
ever lieth in my power." 



THE STORY OF THE LADY IN T THE TOMB. 24 i 

Then the damsel began with a sorrowful lamenta- 
tion to declare as strange a tragedy as ever was told ; 
and lying in the fatal sepulchre, unseen by St George, 
with a hollow voice, like a murdered lady whose bleed- 
ing soul as yet felt the terrible stroke of her death, she 
repeated this pitiful tale. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Of the tragical discourse pronounced toy the lady in the sepulchre, and' 
how her enchantment was finished by St George ; and how the seven 
champions of Christendom restored the Babylonian king unto his kingdom. 

" In famous Babylon some time reigned a king who 
had only one daughter, who was very fair, whose 
name was Angelica, humble, wise, and chaste; who 
was beloved by a mighty duke, a man wonderfully 
cunning in the Black Art. This magician deserved 
the government better than any other man in the 
kingdom, and was well esteemed throughout all 
Babylon, almost equally with the king; for which 
there was engendered in the king's heart a secret ran- 
cour and hatred towards him. The magician cast his 
love upon the young princess Angelica, and it was 
ordained by destiny that she should repay him with 
the same affection; so that both their hearts being 
wounded with love, the one to the other, they endured 
sundry great passions. 

u Then Love, which continually seeketh occasions, 
did on a time set before this magician a waiting-maid 
of Angelica's, named Fidelia, who seemed to be 
moulded by the immortal pow^r of the goddess Venus. 

R 



242 THE STORY OF THE LADY IN THE T03IB. 

Oh! in what fear the magician was to discover to her 
all his heart, and to betray the secrets of his love-sick 
soul ! But in the end, by the great industry and dili- 
gence of the waiting-maid (whose name was answera- 
ble to her mind), there was opportunity given for these 
two lovers to meet together. 

"This fair Angelica, because she could not safely 
meet her true lover, determined to leave her own 
native country and father; and with this intention, 
being one night with her lore, she cast her arms about 
his neck, and said : 

{U Omy sweet and well-beloved friend, seeing that 
the destinies have been so kind to me as to have my 
heart linked in thy breast, let no one find in thee 
ingratitude, for I cannot live except continually I enjoy 
thy sight; and do not muse, my lord, at these my 
words, for the entire love that I bear to you constrain- 
eth me to make it manifest : and this believe of a 
certainty, that if thy image be absent from me, it will 
cause my heart to lack its vital recreation, and my 
soul to forsake her earthly habitation. You know, my 
lord, how that the king, my father, doth bear you no 
good will, but doth hate you from his soul, so that we 
cannot enjoy our hearts' contentment; for which I 
have determined (if you think well thereof) to leave 
both my father and my native country, and to go 
and live with you in a strange land. Now if you 
deny me this, you shall very quickly see your lov- 
ing lady without life. But I know you will not deny 
me, for therein consist all my welfare and my chief 
prosperity.' And thereupon shedding tears from her 
crystal eyes, she held her peace. 



FLIGHT OP ANGELICA AND THE MAGICIAN. 243 

" The magician, as one half-ravished by her earnest 
desires, answered and said : 

" 4 My love and sweet mistress, wherefore have you 
any doubt that I will fulfil and accomplish your desire 
in all things f Therefore at once put all things in 
readiness that your pleasure wishes to have done ; for 
what more benefit or content can I receive, than to enjoy 
your sight continually, so that neither of us may 
depart from the other's company, till the fatal Destinies 
end our lives?' 

" After this, within a few days, the magician by his 
enchantment caused a chariot to be made, that was 
drawn by flying dragons; into which, without being 
espied by any one, they put themselves, together with 
their trusty waiting-maid, and in great secrecy they 
departed out of the king's palace, and took their 
journey towards the country of Armenia; where in a 
marvellously short time they arrived, and came without 
any misfortune to a place where deep rivers continually 
struck upon a rock, upon which stood an old building, 
which they intended to inhabit, as a most convenient 
place for their dwelling ; wherein they might, without 
iear of being discovered, live peaceably, enjoying each 
other's love. And not far from that place there was 
a small village whence they might have necessary 
provision for the maintaining of their bodies. 

" Great joy and pleasure these two lovers received, 
when they found themselves in such a place. The ma- 
gician delighted in nothing but to go hunting with 
certain country dwellers who inhabited the next village, 
leaving his sweet Angelica, accompanied by her trusty 
Fidelia, in the house. 



24 1 THE STORY OF THE LADY IN THE TOMB. 

" So thus they lived together four years, spending their 
days in great pleasure; but in the end, Time (who 
had never rested in one degree) took from them their 
rest, and repaid them with sorrow and extreme misery. 
For when the king her father found her missing, his 
sorrow and grief were so great that he kept his chamber 
a long time, and would not be comforted by any body. 

"Two years he passed away in great heaviness, fill- 
ing the court with echoes of his beloved daughter, and 
making the skies resound with his lamentations. But at 
last, upon a time as he sat in his chair, lamenting her 
absence with great heaviness, and being overcome 
with grief, he chanced to fall into a troublesome dream; 
for after quiet sleep had closed up his eyes, he dreamed 
that he saw his daughter standing upon a rock by the 
sea-side, offering to cast her body into the waves before 
she would return to Babylon, and that he beheld her 
lover, with an army of satyrs and wild men ready fur- 
nished with habiliments of war to pull him from his 
throne, and to deprive him of his kingdom. 

u Out of this vision he presently started from his 
chair, as though it had been one freighted with a legion 
of spirits, and caused four of the chief peers of his land 
to be sent for, to w r hom he committed the government of 
his country, certifying that he intended a voyage to the 
sepulchre at Memphis, to qualify the fury of his 
daughter's ghost, whom he dreamed to be drowned in 
the sea; and unless he sought by true submission to 
appease the angry Fates, whom he had offended, he 
should be deposed from his kingdom. 

" None could withdraw him from his determination, 
though it was to the prejudice of the whole land: 



ANGELICA DISCOVERED BY EER FATHER. 245 

therefore within twenty days he famished himself with 
all necessaries, as well of armour and martial furniture 
as of gold and treasure, and so departed from Babylon 
privately and alone, not suffering any one to bear him 
company. 

" But he travelled not as he told his lords, after any 
ceremonious duty, but like a blood-honnd, searching 
country after country, nation by nation, and kingdom 
by kingdom, that after a barbarous manner he might be 
revenged upon his daughter for her disobedience: and 
as he travelled, there was no cave, den, wood, or wil- 
derness, but he furiously entered, and diligently searched 
for his Angelica. 

" At last, by strange fortune he wandered into Ar- 
menia, near the place where his daugher had her re- 
sidence; where, after he had intelligence from the 
people of the country, that she remained in an old 
ruined building on the top ot a rock near at hand, with- 
out any more delay he travelled to the place, at a time 
when the magician her husband was gone about his ac- 
customed hunting; and coming to the gate, and finding 
it locked, he knocked thereat so furiously, that he 
made the noise resound all over the house with the re- 
doubling echo. 

" When Angelica heard the knock, she came to the 
gate, and with all speed opened it; and when she 
thought to embrace her lover, she saw that it was her 
father, and giving a great shriek, she ran with all speed 
she could back into the house. 

" Her father, being angry, like a furious lion followed 
her, saying, ' It doth little avail thee, Angelica, to run 
away, for thou shalt die by this revengeful hand, paying 



24 G THE STORT OF THE LADY IN THE TOIIB. 

me with thy death the dishonour that my crown hath 
received by thy flight.' 

" So he followed her till he came to the chamber 
where her waiting-maid Fidelia was, who likewise pre- 
sently knew the king ; upon whose wrathful counten- 
ance appeared the image of pale death ; and fearing 
the harm that might happen to her lady, she put hei^elf 
over her lady's body, and gave most terribly loud 
shrieks. 

61 The king, as one kindled in wrath, and forgetting 
the natural love of a father towards his child, laid hands 
upon his sword, and said: 'It doth not profit thee. 
Angelica, to fly from thy death, for thy desert is such 
that thou canst not escape from it ; for mine own arm 
shall be the slayer of my own flesh, and I unnaturally 
hate that which nature itself commanded me especially 
to love.' 

" Then Angelica, with a countenance more red than 
scarlet, answered and said : ' Ah, my lord and father ! 
will you be now as cruel to me, as you were wont to be 
kind? Appease your wrath, and withdraw your un- 
merciful sword, and hearken to what I say, freeing 
myself of that you charge me withal. You shall under- 
stand, my lord and father, that I was overcome and 
constrained by Love to forget all fatherly love and duty 
towards your majesty ; yet for ail that, having power 
to accomplish the same, it is not to your dishonour, 
that I live honourably with my husband.' Then the king 
(with a visage fraught with terrible anger, more like a 
dragon in the woods of Hyrcania than a man by 
nature) answered and said : 

" ' Thou viperous brat, degenerate from nature's kind ! 



INSANE RAGE OF THE KING. 247 

thou wicked traitor to thy generation! what reason 
hast thou to make this false excuse, when thou hast 
committed a crime that deserves more punishment than 
human nature can inflict?' 

" And saying these words, he lifted up his sword, 
intending to strike her to the heart, and to bathe his 
weapon in his own daughter's blood, when Fidelia 
being present, gave a terrible shriek, and threw herself 
on the body of the unhappy Angelica, offering her tender 
breast to the fury of his sharp-cutting sword, only to set 
at liberty her dear lady and mistress. 

u But when the furious king saw her thus make this 
defence, he pulled her off by the hair of her head, 
threatening to trample her delicate body under his feet, 
to make a way that he might execute his determined 
purpose without further resistance. 

" When Fidelia saw the king determined to kill his 
daughter, she hung about his neck like a lioness, and said: 
1 Thou monstrous murderer, more cruel than the mad 
dogs of Egypt, why dost thou determine to slaughter 
the most chaste and loyal lady in the world, even she 
within whose lap untamed lions will come and sleep, 
thou art thyself, I say, the occasion of all this evil, and 
thine only is the fault , for that thou wert so mali- 
cious, and so full of mischief, that she durst not let thee 
understand her love.' 

" These words and tears of Fidelia did little profit to 
mollify the king's heart, who, rather like a wild boar in 
the wilderness compassed about by a company of dogs, 
most irefully shook his limbs, and threw Fidelia from 
him, so that he had almost dashed her brains against 
the chamber walls , and with double wrath he proceeded 



248 THE STORY OF THE LADY IN THE TCMI3. 

to indulge his fury. Yet, for all this, Fidelia with 
terrible shrieks sought to hinder him, till with his cruel 
hand he thrust his sword into her lady's breast, so that 

it appeared forth at her back, whereby her soul was 
forced to leave its terrestrial habitation. 

"The ireful king, when he beheld his daughter's 
blood sprinkled about the chamber, and that by his own 
hands, repented of the deed, and cursed the hour 
wherein the first notion of such a crime entered into 
his mind, wishing the hand that did it ever after 
might be lame, and the heart that did contrive it be 
plagued with more extremities than was the miserable 
(Edipus. 

;t 'In this manner the unfortunate king repented his 
daughter's bloody murder, and determined not to 
stay till the magician returned from his hunting ex- 
ercise, but to exclude himself from the company of all 
men, and to spend the remnant of his loathsome life 
among untamed beasts in some wild wilderness. Upon 
this resolution he left the chamber, and said 'Fare- 
well, thou lifeless body of my Angelica ; and may thy 
blood, which I have spilt, crave vengeance of the Fates 
against my guilty soul: for my earthly body shall endure 
a miserable punishment.' 

:i Fidelia, after the departure ot the king, used such 
violent fury against herself, by rending her hair, and 
tearing her face with her nails, that she rather seemed 
an infernal fury subject to wrath, than an earthly 
creature furnished with clemency. She sat over 
Angelica's body, wiping her bleeding bosom with a 
damask scarf, which she pulled from her waist, and 
bathing her dead body with her warm tears, which 



DESPAIR AXD RAGE OF THE MAGICIAN, 249 

forcibly ran down from her eyes like an overflowing 
fountain." 

" In this wo ful manner the sorrowful Fidelia spent 
that unhappy day, till bright Phcebns went into the 
western part. At which time the magician returned 
from his accustomed hunting, and finding the door 
open, he entered Angelica's chamber, where when he 
found her body weltering in congealed blood, and be- 
held how Fidelia sat weeping over her bleeding wounds, 
he cursed himself, accounting his negligence the 
occasion of her death, because he had not left her in 
more safety. But when Fidelia told him, how by the 
hands of her own father she was slaughtered ; (who, 
after ranging about the country like a frantic man, 
returned near to the spot where the cruel tragedy was 
committed ;) he began to rage against black Destiny, 
and to fill the air with terrible exclamations. 

M ' Oh cruel murderer !' said he, ' crept from the 
womb of some untamed tiger; I will be so revenged 
upon thee, unnatural king, that all ages shall wonder 
at thy misery And likewise thou, unhappy virgin, 
shalt endure like punishment, because thy accursed 
tongue hath noised this fatal deed in my ears; the one 
for committing the crime, and the other for reporting 
it. For I will cast such deserved vengeance upon your 
heads, and place your bodies in such continual tor- 
ments, that you shall lament my lady's death, keeping 
alive her fame by your lamentations.' 

"And saying these words, he drew a book out of 
his bosom, and reading certain charms and enchant- 
ments that were therein contained, he made a great 
and very black cloud appear in the skies, which was 



250 THE STORY OF THE LADY Hn THE TOMB. 

brought by terribly high winds, in which he took them 
both up, and brought them into this enchanted castle, 
where ever since they have remained in this tomb cruelly 
tormented with unquenchable fire, and must for evei 
continue in the same extremity, except some courteous 
knight will vouchsafe to give but three blows upon the 
tomb, and break the enchantment. 

" Thus have you heard, magnanimous knight, the 
true history of my unhappy fortunes. The virgin who 
for the true love she bore her lady was committed to 
this torment is myself ; and this pale body lying upon 
the tomb is the unhappy Babylonian king who unnatur- 
ally murdered his own daughter ; and the magician 
who committed all these villanies is that accursed 
wretch, who by his charms and enchantments hath so 
strongly withstood your encounters. ,, 

These words were no sooner finished, than St George 
drew out his sharp cutting sword, and gave three blows 
upon the enchanted tomb , whereupon presently ap- 
peared the Babylonian king standing before him, attired 
in rich robes, with an imperial diadem upon his head, 
and the lady standing by him, with a countenance 
more beautiful than the damask rose. 

When St George beheld them, he was not able to 
speak for joy, nor to utter his mind, so exceeding was 
the pleasure that he took in their sight ; so without 
any ceremony, he took them by both his hands, and 
led them into the chamber, where he found the other 
knights newly risen from their beds. To them he 
revealed the strange adventure, and howhe redeemed the 
king and lady from their enchantments, which was as 
great joy to them as it was to St George. 



RESTORATION OF THE KIKG OF BABYLON. 251 

After they had for six days refreshed themselves in 
the castle, they accompanied the Babylonian king 
into his country, to place him again in his kingdom. 

When the valiant Christian champions accompanied 
the Babylonian king to his kingdom of Assyria, as 
they had solemnly promised him, and made no ques- 
tion of princely entertainment, there was neither sign 
of peace nor likelihood of joyful and friendly welcome, 
ter all the country raged with intestine war, four 
several competitors ud justly striving for what properly 
and of right belonged to the king. 

The unuatural causers and stirrers up of this blood- 
shedding controversy were four noblemen, to whom 
the king unadvisedly committed the government of his 
realm, when he went in pursuit of his fair daughter, 
after his dream, that caused him so cruelly to seek her 
death ; and the breaking out into this confusion grew 
first to a head in manner following : — 

For two years after the king's departure, these 
deputies governed the public state in peace, and with 
prudent policy, till no tidings of the king could be 
heard, notwithstanding many messengers were sent 
into every quarter of the world to inquire after hini ; 
then did ambition kindle in their hearts, each striv- 
ing to wrest into his hand the sole possession of the 
Babylonian kingdom. To this end they severally 
made friends; for this had they contended m many 
fights ; and now, lastly, they intended to set all their 
hopes upon the main chance of war, purposing to fight 
till three fell, and one, whose head should be beautified 
with a crown, remained victor over the rest. 

But to traitors and treason the end is sudden and 



L\V2 GRAND TOURNAMKNTS AT CONSTANTINOPLE. 

shnmeful ; for no sooner bad St George (placing him- 
self between the armies) in a brief oration told the 
adventures of the king, and he himself discovered his 
reverend face to the people, than they all shouted for 
joy ; and hauling the usurpers to death, they" rein- 
stalled him in his ancient dignity, their true, lawful, 
and long-looked-for king. 

The king being thus restored, married Fidelia for 
her faithfulness; and after the nuptial feast, the 
champions departed to seek adventures in other coun- 
tries. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Of the triumphs, tilts, and tournaments, that were solemnly held in Con- 
stantinople by the Grecian emperor ; and of the honourable adventures 
that were there achieved by the Christian champions. 

In the eastern parts of the world the fame and valiant 
deeds of the champions of Christendom were noised, 
with their heroic acts and feats of arms; naming them 
the mirror of nobility, and the types of bright honour. 
All kings and princes to whose ears the report of their 
valour was known, desired much to behold their noble 
personages. And when the emperor of Greece, keeping 
then his court in the city of Constantinople, heard of 
their mighty and valiant deeds, he thirsted after their 
sight, and his mind could never be satisfied until he 
had devised a means to bring them to his court, not 
only that he might enjoy the benefit of their company, 
but that he might have his court honoured with the 



THE CHAMPIONS AIUUVE IN CONSTANTINOPLE. 253 

presence of such renowned knights, and in this manner 
it was accomplished. 

The emperor despatched messengers into divers parts 
of the world, and gave them in charge to publish, 
throughout every country and province as they went, 
an honourable tournament that should be held in the 
city of Constantinople within six months following: 
thereby to accomplish his intent and to bring the Chris- 
tian champions, whose company he so much desired, 
to his court. 

This charge of the Grecian emperor was performed 
with such diligence that in a short time it came to the 
ears of the Christian knights, as they travelled betwixt 
the provinces of Asia and Africa; and at the time 
appointed they came in great pomp to Constantinople 
to take part in the honourable proceedings. 

There likewise resorted thither a great number of 
knights of great valour and strength ; among whom 
were the prince of Algiers with a goodly company of 
noble persons, and the prince of Fez with many well- 
proportioned knights; likewise came thither the king 
of Arabia in great state, and with no less majesty came 
the king of Sicilia, and a brother of his, who were both 
giants. Many other brave and valiant knights came 
thither to honour the Grecian emperor. As they 
came to honour the triumphs, so likewise they came to 
prove their fortitude, and to get fame and name, and 
the praise that belongeth to adventurous knights. 
It was supposed of all the company, that the king of 
Sicilia would gain by his prowess the dignity from the 
rest, because he was a giant of very big limbs; although 
his brother was taken to be the more furious knight, 



254 OPENING- OF THE TOURNAMENT. 

but his brother determined that the king should get the 
honour and praise from all the knights that came: — 
but it fell out otherwise, as hereafter you shall hear. 

When the day of tournament was come, all the 
ladies and damsels put themselves in places to behold 
the jousting, and attired themselves in the greatest 
elegance they could devise, and the great court 
swarmed with people who came thither to behold the 
scenes of the tournament. 

What shall I say of the emperor's daughter, the fair 
Alcida, who sat glittering in rich ornaments amongst 
the other ladies, like Phoebus in the crystal firmament? 
When the emperor was seated upon the imperial 
throne, under a tent of green velvet, the knights began 
to enter the lists ; and he that first entered was the 
king of Arabia, mounted upon a very fair and well- 
adorned courser. He was armed with black armour, 
bespotted with silver knobs, and he brought with him 
fifty knights apparelled in the same livery. After him 
entered the Pagan knight who was lord of Syria, 
armed with armour of lion's colour, accompanied with 
a hundred knights, all apparelled in velvet of the same 
colour, and passed round about the place, showing 
to the ladies great friendship and courtesy, as did the 
other. 

After which, he beheld the king of Arabia waiting 
to receive him at the joust; and the trumpets began 
to sound, giving them to understand that they must 
prepare themselves for the encounter ; whereto these 
two knights were nothing unwilling, but spurred their 
coursers with great fury, and closed together with 
courageous valour. The king of Arabia most strongly 



EXPLOITS OP THE KNIGHTS. 255 

made his encounter, and struck the Pagan upon the 
breast ; but the Pagan, at the next race, struck him 
so surely with his lance, that he heaved him out of his 
saddle, and he fell to the ground : after which the 
Pagan knight rode up and down with great pride and 
gladness. 

The Arabian king being thus overthrown, there 
entered the lists the king of Algiers, who at the first 
encounter was thrown to the ground. In like manner 
did that Pagan overthrow fifteen knights of fifteen 
provinces, to the great amazement of the emperor and 
all the assembly. 

During all these valiant encounters, St George, with 
the other Christian champions, stood afar off upon a 
high gallery beholding them, not intending as yet to be 
seen in the tilt. 

But now this valiant Pagan, after he had rode about 
^ix courses up and down the place, and seeing no one 
enter the tilt-yard, thought to bear all the fame and 
honour away for that day. But at the same instant 
there entered the noble-minded prince of Fez, for 
courage the chief pride of his country. He was a 
marvellously well-proportioned knight, and was armed 
in white armour, wrought with excellent knots of gold; 
and he brought in his company a hundred knights, all 
attired in white satin ; and riding about the place, he 
made his obedience to the emperor, and to all the 
ladies ; and thereupon the trumpets began to sound. 
At the signal the tw r o knights spurred their coursers, 
and made their encounter so strong, and with such 
great fury, that the proud Pagan was cast to the 
ground, and so left the lists in great dishonour. 



256 SUCCESS OF THE KING OF SICILIA. 

Straightway entered the brave king of Sicilia, who 
was armed in a glittering corselet of very fine steel, 
and was mounted upon a strong and mighty courser ; 
he brought in his company two hundred knights, all 
apparelled in cloth of gold, having every one an instru- 
ment of music in his hand, making thereon a most 
delightful melody. 

After the Sicilian king had made the accustomed 
courtesy in the lists, he locked down his beaver, and 
put himself in readiness to fight. When the sign was 
given by the chief herald at arms, they spurred their 
horses, and made their encounter so valiantly, that at 
the first race they made their lances shiver in the air, 
and the pieces thereof were scattered abroad like 
aspen leaves in a whirlwind. At the second course, 
the young prince of Fez was carried over his horse's 
buttocks, and the saddle with him betwixt his legs; 
which was a great grief to the emperor and all the 
company, for he was well-beloved by them all, and held 
as a knight of great esteem. 

The Sicilian king grew proud at the prince of Fez's 
overthrow, and was so enraged and furious, that in a 
short time he left not a knight remaining in the saddle, 
that had attempted to fight with him ; for every one, 
whatever their country or nation, he unhorsed in the en- 
counter; so that there was no question, among either 
nobles or the multitude, but that to him the honour of 
the victory would be attributed. 

But, in his arrogant pride, he heard a great noise, 
as of a tumult, drawing near, which caused him to stand 
still, expecting some strange accident; and looking 
about he beheld St George entering the lists, having 



ST GEORGE DEFEATS THE KING. 257 

just come from the gallery. He was arrayed in strong 
armour all of purple, full of golden stars : and before 
him rode the champions of France, Italy, Spain, and 
Scotland, all on stately coursers, bearing in their hands 
four silken streamers of four several colours ; and there 
followed him the champion of Wales, carrying his 
shield, whereon was pourtrayed a golden lion in a sable 
field ; and the champion of Ireland carried his spear, of 
knotty ash, strongly bound about with plates of steel. 

When St George had passed by the royal seat where- 
on the emperor sat in company of many princes, he rode 
along by the other side, where Alcida, the emperor's 
fair daughter, sat richly apparelled in a vesture of gold, 
amongst many gallant ladies and fair damsels ; to whom 
he veiled his bonnet, showing them the courtesy of a 
knight. When he was come before his adversary, he 
took his shield and spear, and prepared himself to joust; 
and being both provided, the trumpets began to sound; 
when with great fury these two warlike knights met 
together, and neither of them missed their blows at 
the encounter ; but yet, St George having a desire to 
increase his fame, and make his name resound through 
the world, struck the giant such a mighty blow upon 
his breast, that he threw him to the ground ; and with 
great state and majesty he passed along, without any 
show of pride ; whereupon the people gave so great 
a shout, that it resounded like an echo in the air, and 
St George said: u This great and furious boaster is 
overthrown, and his mighty strength hath little availed 
him." 

After this, many princes proved their skill against the 
English champion, and every knight who was of any 

s 



258 THE KING'S BROTHER DEFIES ST GEORGE. 

estimation fought with him, but with ease he overcame 
them all, in less than the space of two hours. Now 
as the day was drawing to an end, there entered the lists 
the brave and mighty giant, brother to the Sicilian 
king, with a great spear in his hand, whose glimmering 
point of steel glittered throughout the court. He 
brought with him only one squire, attired in silver mail, 
having in his hand another lance. 

So this furious giant, without any care or courtesy 
to the emperor, or any of his knights there present, 
entered the place; and the squire who brought the other 
spear went to the English champion and said • 

" Sir knight, yonder brave and valiant giant, my lord 
and master, doth send to thee this warlike spear, and 
therewith he willeth thee to defend thyself to the ut- 
termost of thy power and strength, for he hath vowed 
before sunset to be either lord of thy fortunes, or a 
vassal to thy prowess ; and likewise saith, that he doth 
not only defy thee in the tournament, but also challeng- 
ed thee to mortal battle." 

This boasting message caused St George to smile, and 
raised in his breast a new desire of honour, so 
he returned him this answer : " Friend, go thy ways, 
and tell the giant that sent thee that I do accept his 
demand, although it doth grieve my very soul to hear 
this arrogant defiance, to the great disturbance of this 
royal company, in presence of so mighty an emperor. 
But seeing his stomach is gorged with so much pride, 
tell him, that I, George of England,' am ready to make 
my defence, and also that shortly he shall repent his 
bravado, by the pledge of my knighthood." 

Saying these words, he took the spear from the 



ST GEOEGE AGAIN VICTORIOUS. 259 

squire, and delivered him his gauntlet, to carry to his 
master, and then put himself in readiness for the 
encounter. 

For some time the two warriors, mounted upon their 
steeds, tarried for the sign to be made by the trumpets ; 
which being given, they set forward their coursers, 
with their spears in their rests, with so great fury and 
desire, the one to unhorse the other, that they both 
failed in the encounter. The giant, who was very 
strong and proud, when he saw that he had missed his 
intent, returned against St George, carrying his spear 
upon his shoulder; and coming nigh to him, upon a sud- 
den, before he could clear himself, struck him such 
a mighty blow upon his corselet, that his staff broke in 
pieces, from the fineness of his armour, and made the 
English knight double his body backwards upon his 
horse's crupper. Who, when he saw the great villany 
that the giant used against him, his anger increased 
very much ; and so, taking his spear in the same way, 
he went towards the giant, and struck him so furiously 
on the breast, that the spear, passing through the 
giant's body, appeared forth at his back, and he fell 
down dead to the ground. All who were present 
were very much amazed, and wondered greatly at the 
strength and force of St George, accounting him the 
most fortunate knight that ever wielded lance, and the 
very pattern of true nobility. 

At this time the golden sun had finished his course, 
showing nothing above the horizon but his glittering 
beams ; wherefore the judge of the tournament com- 
manded, with sound of trumpets, that the jousts should 
cease and be ended for that dav. 



260 END OF THE TOURNAMENT. 

So the emperor descended from his imperial throne 
into the tilting place, where were all the knights and 
gentlemen, to receive the noble champion of England, 
and desired him to go with them into his palace, there 
to receive all the honours due to a knight of such 
desert. To which he could not make any refusal, but 
most willingly consented. After this, the emperor's 
daughter, in company of many courtly virgins, likewise 
descended from her place ; and Alcida bestowed upon 
St George her glove, which he wore for her favour 
many a day after in his burgonet. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Of the praiseworthy death of St Patrick; how he buried himself; and for 
for what cause the Irishmen to this day do wear a red cross upon St 
Patrick's day. 

You may suppose, gentle readers, that Time had ran 
a long race before these thrice-honoured champions 
had purchased so many victories : and, being now 
wearied with age, Death, with his gloomy countenance, 
began to challenge an end to all their worldly achieve- 
ments, and to draw their noble names to full perfection: 
therefore preparing a black stage for each in honour to 
act his last scene out. 

The valiant champion St Patrick, feeling himself 
weakened by time and age, not able any longer to 
endure the bruises of princely achievements, became a 
hermit, and wandering up and down the world in poor 
attire, he came at last to the country of his birth, 
which is now called Ireland, but in former times 



ST PATRICK PREPARES FOR DEATH. 261 

Hibernia; where, instead of martial achievements, he 
offered up, in the name of his Redeemer, devout orisons, 
daily making petitions to the Deity of Glory, in behalf 
of his desired peace : a life more delightful to his 
aged heart than all his former accomplishments. 
And now, willing to bid farewell to the world, he 
desired an enclosure to be made, and to be pent 
up by a stony wall from the sight of all earthly 
objects. To this request of the holy father (now 
no soldier, but a man of peace) the inhabitants 
consented, and built him a square house of stone, 
without either window or door, only a little hole 
to receive his food by; wherein they closed him 
up, never more to be seen alive by the eyes of mortal 
men. Also appointing persons to bring him at con- 
venient times food to maintain nature, they delivered 
it in at the aforesaid hole, which they thought to be a 
deed of more than common charity, and believed 
the receiver to be an honour to their country, from 
the severe and strict course of life he put himself to. 
Thus he, the servant of his God lived, day and night 
kneeling on the bare ground, till thrice the winter's cold 
had taken departure, and as often the summer's warmth 
had cheered the cold earth; making his knees hard with 
kneeling and his eyes dim with lamentations for his 
former offences. The hairs of his head were all over- 
grown, and the nails of his fingers seemed like the talons 
and claws of an old raven, with which, by little and 
little, he dug his own grave, preparing for the hour 
of his death which, in process of time, thus happened. 
When he had passed, as I have said before, thrice 
twelve months in divine contemplation, by inspiration 



2G2 DEATH OF ST PATRICK. 

(as it seemed) be laid bim down in tbe grave tbat bis 
own nails bad dug, and gave up tbe ghost. 

Tbus being cbanged from a lively substance to a dead 
corpse, bis attendants, as their usual custom was. came 
witb food to relieve bim, and calling at tbe bole where 
be bad wont to receive it, they heard nothing but 
empty air. blowing in and out. which made them con- 
jecture that death had prevailed, and tbe fatal sisters 
bad finished their labours. So calling together more 
company, they made an entrance: and finding what 
had happened, by common consent of the whole king- 
dom they pulled down the bouse or tower, and in tbe 
same place built a most sumptuous chapel, calling it 
St Patrick's Chapel; and in tbe place where this holy 
father had buried himself, they erected a monument of 
much richness, framed upon pillars of pure gold, 
beautified witb many artificial sights, most pleasant to 
behold; whereunto for many years after resorted dis- 
tressed people, such as were commonly afflicted witb 
loathsome diseases; and making their orisons at St 
Patrick's tomb, they found help, and were restored to 
their former health. 

By which means the name of St Patrick is grown so 
famous through the world, that to this day he is en- 
titled one of our Christian champions, and the saint of 
Ireland; and, in remembrance of him, and of the hon- 
ourable achievements done in his lifetime, the Irishmen, 
as well in England as in that country, do as yet, in 
honour of his name, keep one day in the year a festival, 
wearing upon their hats each of them a cross of red 
silk, in token of his many adventures under the Chris- 
tian cross, as you have beard in his former history. His 




St. David of Wales. 



ST DAVID RETURNS TO WALES. 263 

noble deeds, both in life and death, we will now leave 
with him in the grave, and speak of the fate allotted to 
St David, the champion of Wales, at that time entitled 
Cambria. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



Of the honourable victory won by St David in Wales ; of his death, and the 
cause why leeks are worn on St David's day by Welshmen. 

Some months after the departure of St Patrick from the 
city of Constantinople, St David, having a heart still 
fired with fame, thirsted even to his dying day for hon- 
ourable achievements: and although age and time had 
almost worn him away, yet would he once more make 
his endeavour in the field of Mars, and seal up his 
honours in the records of fame with a noble farewell. 

So ©ne morning, framing himself for a knightly 
enterprise, he took his leave of the other champions; 
and all alone, well mounted upon a lusty courser, fur- 
nished with sufficient habiliments, he took the journey 
home towards his own country, accounting that bis best 
joy, and the source of his greatest comfort. 

But he had not long travelled, ere he heard how 
Wales was beset with a people of a savage nature, 
thirsting for blood and the ruin of that brave kingdom: 
and how many battles had been fought to the dispar- 
agement of Christian knighthood. Whereupon arming 
himself with true resolution, he went forward with a 
courageous mind, either to redeem its fame, or to lose 
his best blood in honour of the adventure. 

All the way as he travelled, he drew to his aid and 



264 ST DAVID COLLECTS AN ABMY. 

assistance all the best knights he could find, of a 
nation whatsoever, giving them promises of nc 
rewards, and such entertainment as befitted so worthy 
a fellowship. By this means, before he came upon the 
borders of Wales he tad gathered together the num- 
ber of five hundred knights, of such noble resolu- 
tion, that all Christendom could not afford better, the 
Seven Champions excepted. And these, al 
furnished for battle, entered the country ; where they 
found many towns unpeopled, gallant houses subverted, 
monasteries defaced, cities ruined, fields of corn con- 
sumed by fire — yea, everything as much out of c: 
as if the country had never been inhabited. Where- 
upon, with a grieved mind, seeing the region of 
birth so deserted, and nothing but uproars of mur- 
der and death sounding in his ears, he summoned his 
knights together, placing them in battle array to 
travel high up into the country, for the performance 
of his desired hopes. But as they marched along at 
an easy pace, to prevent danger, there resorted to 
them people of all ages, both young and old, bitterly 
complaining of the wrongs thus done to their country. 
And when they knew him to be the champion of 
Wales, whom they so long had desired to see, their 
joy was so great, that all former woes were banished, 
and they sought nothing but revenge. 

The rest of the knights who came with St David, 
perceiving their force and numbers to increase, pro- 
posed a present onset, and to show themselves before 
their enemies, who lay encamped amongst the moun- 
tains, with such strength and policy that it was hard 
to make an assault. 



THE COMIXG- STRUGGLE. 265 

Whereupon the noble champion, being then their 
general and leader, called his captains together, and 
with bold courage said as follows : 

u Now is the time, brave soldiers, to be canonized 
the sons of Fame : this is the day of dignity or disho- 
nour — an enterprise to make us ever live, or to end 
our names in obscurity! Let not chill Fear, the 
coward's companion, pull us back from the golden 
throne, where the adventurous soldier sits in glory 
deservedly. We are to trample on the field of death 
and dead men's bones, and to buckle with an enemy of 
great strength, a Pagan power, that seeks to over- 
run all Christian kingdoms, and to wash our Cambrian 
fields with innocent blood. To arms ! I say, brave 
followers : I will be the first to give death the onset ; 
and for my colours or ensign do I wear upon my bur- 
gonet, you see, a green leek set in gold, which shall, 
if we win the victory, hereafter be an honour to Wales; 
and on this day, being the first of March, be it for ever 
worn by Welshmen in remembrance thereof! " 

Which words were no sooner spoken by the cham- 
pion, than all the royal army, of every degree and cal- 
ling, got themselves the like recognizance — which was 
a green leek upon their hats or beavers, which they 
wore all the time of the battle; and by that means the 
champion's followers were known from the others. It 
was not long before St David and his company beheld, 
descending from the mountains, an army of Pagans, 
which seemed numberless; people of such mighty 
stature, that their sight might have daunted their 
noble resolution, had not the brave champion still 
animated them with princely encouragement. Time 



20G VICTORY AND DEATH OF ST DAVID. 

stayed not long ere the armies joined; and the Pagans, 
with their iron clubs and bats of steel, so laid about 
them, that had not the Christian army been preserved 
by miracle, such slaughter had been made of the cham- 
pion and his knights as might well have caused the 
whole world to wonder. 

But the queen of chance so favoured St David and 
his followers, that, what with their nimble lances, 
keen darts and arrows, shot from their quick bows, and 
Welsh hooks in great abundance, (the sun also lying 
in the Pagans' faces, to their great disadvantage), in a 
short time the noble champion won a worthy victory. 
The ground lay covered with mangled carcasses ; the 
grassy fields changed from green into red from the 
crimson streams of blood which ran from horse and man 
thus slaughtered. A noble policy was it for all the 
Christians in that battle to wear green leeks in their 
burgonets for their colours ; by which they were all 
known and preserved from slaughter by one another's 
swords, St David himself excepted, who, being victor, 
in the highest pride of his glory, was at last vanquished. 
unhappy fate, to cut off his honour, who was the cnly 
darling of honour ! Help me, Melpomene, to bewail his 
loss, that, having won all, lost his dear life; a life that 
the whole world might well lament. Oh fatal chance ! 
For, coming from the battle, over-heated in blood, so 
sudden a cold congealed all his life's members, that he 
was forced to yield to Death, to the great grief of his 
knights and followers, who for the space of forty days 
mourned for him in great bitterness, and attended him 
to his grave with much sorrow. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

How St Denis was beheaded in his own country, and how, by a miracle shewn 
at his death, the whole kingdom of France received the Christian faith. 

St Denis, being the third in this our pilgrimage of 
death, was likewise desirous of the sight of his own 
country, which he had not seen for many years ; and 
purposing a toilsome journey home, took leave of the 
other champions, who were not altogether willing to 
lose so noble a champion ; yet, considering the desire 
of his mind, they consented, wishing him the best welfare 
of knighthood, and so parted ; they to their princely 
pavilions, and he to his restless journey, as well mounted, 
and as richly furnished with habiliments of knighthood, 
as any warrior in all Arabia, in which country he 
then was. But leaving that place, to satisfy his desire, 
he travelled day by day towards the kingdom of Prance, 
without any adventure worth reporting, till he arrived 
upon the borders of the fair country that he had so 
long wished to behold. But now see how Fate frowned! 
for there was remaining in the French king's court a 
knight of the order of St Michael, who in former times 
hearing of the honourable adventures of this noble 
champion St Denis, and thinking him to be a dispar- 
agement to his knighthood and the rest of their order, 
conspired to betray him, and to bring all his former 
honours with his life to a final overthrow. 

This envious knight of St Michael went to the king, 
(then a Pagan prince, one that had no true knowledge 
of the Deity,) and said : There was come into his king- 
dom a strange knight, a false believer, one that in time 
would draw the love of his subjects from him to the 



2G8 ST DENIS BETRAYED AND CONDEMNED. 

worship of a strange god ; and that, in spite of him 
and Ms country, he would establish a false opinion ; and 
that he wore upon his breast the Christian cross; 
with many other things, contrary to the laws of his 
kingdom. 

Upon this false information the king grew so enraged, 
that, without any more consideration, he caused the 
good knight St Denis to be attacked in his bed-chamber; 
otherwise a score of the best knights in all France had 
had not been sufficient to bring him prisoner to the king's 
presence ; who, with more than human fury, without 
cause, and without any further trial, adjudged him a 
speedy death. 

The good champion St Denis, even in death having 
a most noble resolution, nothing at all dismayed, and 
knowing his cause to be good, and that he should suffer 
for the name of his sweet Redeemer, most willingly 
accepted the judgment, saying : " Most mighty but yet 
cruel king, think not but that this exceeding tyranny 
will be requited in a strange manner. Thy censure I 
take with much joy, in that I die for Him, whose 
colours I have worn from my infancy; and this my 
death fills up the measure of all my comfort. And 
thou, sweet country, where I first took life, receive it 
again, a legacy due to thee ; for this my blood, which 
here I offer up into thy bosom, is the best gift I can 
bestow on thee. Farewell, knighthood; farewell, hon- 
ourable adventures and princely achievements ; never 
will this dauntless arm brandish weapon more in 
honour of the Christian cross ; for death waiteth at 
my back to cut off all such noble hopes, and by tyranny 
am I betrayed thereto ! " 



CONVERSION OF THE KING. 2G9 

This speech being uttered, he was forced to stand 
silent; and in the presence of the king, and many 
hundreds more, was constrained to yield his body to the 
fatal stroke ; and his head being laid upon the block, 
was by a base executioner quickly dissevered from the 
rest of his manly members. This was no sooner 
done, and the champion lifeless, than the elements, beset 
with cloudy exhalations, sent down such a terrible 
thunderclap, as struck dead the knight of St Michael, 
who accused him, the executioner, and others that were 
present. At which fearful spectacle the king himself 
grew so amazed, that he deemed him to be a blessed 
creature; that he had suffered wrongfully; and that 
His cause, for which he so willingly rendered up his 
life, was the true cause for which all must have a desire 
to die; wherefore, instantly, from Pagan the king 
turned Christian, and caused the same to be proclaimed 
through all his provinces, ordaining churches to be 
built in remembrance of this great man. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Of the splendid chapel built by the Spanish champion St Tames, and of 
the tyrannous death the said champion endured. 

Now, gentle reader, with a sad heart prepare to hear 
the sorrowful manner of the Spanish champion's death, 
by tyranny and cruel dealing of the infidels : for age 
and time, as upon the others, grew upon him, and so 
enfeebled his strength that he was no longer able to 
manage the adventures of chivalry, nor fight the battles 
of his Saviour. Wherefore resolving to spend the 



270 ST JAMES BUILDS A NOBLE CHAPEL. 

remnant of bis days in peace, he likewise desired leave 
to commit his fortunes to the queen of chance; which 
like the others, he quickly obtained: and so, leaving 
Constantinople, he set himself to travel towards the 
country of his first being, not decked in his shining 
armour, nor mounted on his Spanish jennet, but poor 
and bare in outward habit, though inwardly furnished 
with gold and jewels of inestimable value, which he had 
sewed up in the patches of a russet gaberdine, the better 
to travel with. Instead of a bright shining battle-axe. 
his pilgrim's staff served him to walk with: and for his 
burgonet of glittering steel, he covered his head (now 
as white as thistledown with age) with a bat of a grey 
colour, broached with a broad scallop-shell. His princely 
lodgings were changed to green pastures, and his cano- 
pies to the skies' azure covering, where the nightingale 
and lark told the passage of time. 

In which manner travelling many clays, and giving 
as he went to the poor and needy such small pieces of 
silver as he could well spare, he arrived at last upon the 
confines of Spain: where in honour of that God for 
whom he had fought so many battles, he built, at 
his own charge, a sumptuous chapel, to this day bearing 
the name of St Jacques's chapel (which name Jacques 
is the same as our James:) and. for the maintenance 
of the said chapel, he purchased divers lands adjoining: 
and placed choristers to sing day and night therein, 
Hallelujah to his Redeemer. 

This celestial gift and glorious service begot such 
love in the meaner sort of people that they esteemed 
him more than a man : such reverence they bestowed 
upon him, that the very name of this noble champion 



MISERABLE DEATH OF ST JAMES. 271 

won greater admiration than the high titles of the 
reigning king ; who was a cruel tyrant and a proud 
ruler, maintaining atheism by his government, and 
who grew so envious, that he caused St Jacques, 
with the whole choir of celestial singers, to be closed 
up together in the chapel which the champion had 
erected, and so starved them to death. Oh bloody 
butchery, and inhuman cruelty! A death of more ter- 
ror than had ever been heard of. But to be short, 
hunger prevailed and they died; their bodies putrified, 
and in time consumed away to dust and mould ; but to 
show that they died in the favour and the love of 
heaven, a light shone in the chapel day and night, 
with such brightness, as if it had been the glorious 
palace of the sun : and likewise continually was heard 
therein, though no creature remained, a choir of melo- 
dious harmony, as if it had been the sound of celestial 
music. Which strange events, both to the eyes and 
ears, created so great an amazement in the whole 
country, that all with common consent accused their 
king for the tyrannous putting to death of these good 
men, but especially of the noble St Jacques, whom they 
purposed to regard as their country's saint and cham- 
pion till the world's dissolution. The proud king per- 
ceiving now his own rashness, and the common hate 
against him for this cruel deed, was afflicted with 
such grief, that he languished away and died. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

Of the stransre sights beheld by the Italian champion, St Anthony, and his 
honourable and worthy death in the chapel dedicated to him. 

After all these proceedings, Nature, the common 
nurse of us all. so wrought on the heart of St Anthony, 
the champion for Italy, that he undertook the next 
enterprise, and leaving St George with St Andrew, in 
the emperor's court at Constantinople, he took his 
journey towards Italy ; and knowing, by the course of 
nature, that his days were not many, he purposed there 
to stay the rest of his life, and in death to finish all earthly 
troubles. So coming, after a long journey, to imperial 
Rome, where the emperor Domitian kept his court ; 
and the city being then in her chief pomp and glory, 
there was a great desire in the champion's mind to see 
its monuments and sumptuous buildings. 

So one morning, going from his lodgings, he 
walked up and down the streets with admiration, and 
fed his eyes upon many delightful objects. First, with 
great wonder he stood gazing upon the monuments 
that were erected in honour of all the famous emperors, 
consuls, orators, and conquerors, which yielded him 
great pleasure. The next thing that his eyes delighted 
in, was the temple of the three Sibyls, a most 
miraculous building ; in which temple all their prophe- 
cies were enrolled ; as also the beginning and ending 
of the whole catalogue of the heathen gods, as Mars, 
Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, and suchlike; with their 
manner of worship. The next that he saw was the 
house of Remus and Romulus, who built Rome: a 



DEATH OF ST AKTHONr. 273 

building of much worthiness. Next unto it stood an 
ancient prison (an old rotten thing) where the man lay 
that was condemned to death, and could have nobody 
come to him but was searched, yet was kept alive a 
long term by sucking his daughter's breasts. After 
this he saw Pompey's theatre, reputed one of the nine 
wonders of the world, the emperor Nero's tomb, 
maintained with disgrace, for the offence he did in 
setting Rome on fire. To conclude, he spent many 
days in viewing the martyrs' tombs, and other relics 
brought from Jerusalem. Amongst many other de- 
lightful sights, he came to a chapel dedicated to himself, 
called " The Honour of St Anthony ;" wherein was 
pourtrayed, in alabaster pictures, the forms of all the 
champions of Christendom, with the stories of their 
adventures, combats, tournaments, and battles ; their 
imprisonments, dangers and enchantments ; whereon 
ran a prophecy, that the patron of this chapel should 
ever live unconquered, and never embrace death, till 
his eyes were witness of the same portraitures ; which 
in golden letters was inscribed over the chapel door, 
or entrance. When St Anthony beheld this, knowing 
himself to be the man, with a firm min^ he embraced 
his end, and never after departed from the chapel, but 
remained kneeling there upon the bare marble, making 
his orisons of repentance to the Eternal Deity, till pale 
destiny had cut off the thread of his old days. 

And thus, being converted to mouldy earth, the 
emperor caused him to be entombed in the chapel ; 
and over his grave to be set a magnificent chair ; in 
which for many years after, the Roman conquerors 
received their laurel rewards of victory. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

Of the martyrdom of St Andrew the Scottish champion ; and how the king 
built a monastery at the place where he suffered. 

St George and St Andrew were the two last cham- 
pions that stayed together, and, as it seemed, the dearest 
love remained between them ; but yet rusty Time with 
his swift course would needs part them, and break up 
their united fellowship. For the summons of honour 
so animated the bold heart of the Scottish champion, 
that he burned with desire to see his native country, 
and to behold the place of his first being. So leaving 
Constantinople, only honoured with the presence of 
St George, he travelled, day by day, till Time and 
Fate set him happily in the kingdom of Scotland; 
where, not having been for many years, he received 
entertainment as costly as if he had been the greatest 
emperor of the world : for all the streets and 
passages as he went were furnished with people of 
the best estate, to give him a gracious welcome to his 
native home; especially the king himself, who, for the 
love and honour he bore to his name and knighthood, 
lodged him in his own palace, and proclaimed for his 
noble welcome a princely tournament to be held for 
the space of fifteen days, during which all the nobility 
and martial kights of Scotland performed such well- 
approved achievements, that neither Greece, Constan- 
tinople, Rome, nor Jerusalem, could equal them. St 
Andrew being now aged, and unfit for such princely 
encounters, sat as a beholder, and gave such due 
commendations as befitted so gallant a company. And 



DEATH OF ST ANDREW. 275 

bidding farewell to these time-honoured pastimes, he 
desired leave of the king to depart, and to spend the 
remnant of his life in private contemplation, for the 
good of his soul, and to wash away with the water of 
true penitence all the blood he had spilt in his travel 
about the world in the maintenance of knighthood ; a 
request so reasonable that the king could not but give 
his consent. So, taking leave of his majesty, and the 
rest of the nobility and knights there present, he de- 
parted to a mountain, far remote from the king's court, 
under which was a cave or hollow vault; wherein 
he remained for the space of a year, studying divinity 
and the commands of his Redeemer. At that time 
Scotland was a rude and heathenish country, inhabited 
by a common sort of people, by whom he was much 
dreaded, and supposed to be sent from some place 
unknown, as a messenger to bring them evil tidings : 
whereupon these unbelieving people, by common con- 
sent, (taking him for some subtle conspirer against 
their Pagan gods, which as then they worshipped,) put 
him secretly to -death ; and after cutting off his head, 
in hope of reward, bore it to the king, deeming they 
had done a deed which deserved commendation. 
When the king saw their inhuman cruelty, he with 
much .grief lamented the loss of this good man; and 
with all speed, in revenge of his death, raised a host 
of his best-resolved knights of war, putting every one 
to the sword, both man, woman, and child, that had 
in any way consented to the champion's death ; and, 
in process of time, appointed a monastery to be built 
over the place where he died. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

Of the adventure performed by St George, and ho # w he received his death by 
the sting- of a venemous dragon. Of Ins honourable interment in the city 
of Coventry; and how the king decreed the patron of the land should be 
named St George. 



Now droops my weary muse, for she is come to her 
last tragedy. St George is summoned to the bar of 
Death, while Honour stands ready to bequeath his 
name in noble renown to all ensuing ages. 

When this illustrious champion was left by the 
other six, such strange imaginations day by day pos- 
sessed his mind, that he could neither rest nor sleep : 
sometimes supposing his companions were in great 
distress ; then that they had won their chief goal of 
honour, little needing his knightly service and assist- 
ance ; and sometimes one thing, sometimes another, so 
molested him, that he must needs follow them. 

Whereupon he went to the Grecian emperor, and 
requested that he might depart, with his leave and 
'Miking; for knightly adventures had challenged him 
to appear in some foreign region, where noble achieve- 
ments were to be performed ; but where and in what 
country, his destiny had not yet revealed to him. 

So arming himself in habiliments of shining steel, he 
left Constantinople, and, guided by Fate, he came 
to England, then called Britain, whose chalky cliffs 
and grassy hills he had not seen for twice twelve years : 
and now drawing nigh to the city of Coventry, where 
he was born, and received his first being, but upon 



st george's last fight. 277 

whose glittering pinnacles he had no sooner east his 
eye-sight, than the inhabitants interrupted his delights 
with a doleful report, that upon Dunsmore Heath there 
remained an infectious dragon, which so annoyed the 
country that the inhabitants thereabouts could not 
pass the heath without great clanger ; and how fifteen 
knights of the kingdom had already lost their lives 
in venturing to suppress the same. Also giving him 
to understand a prophecy, " that a Christian knight 
never born of woman should be the destroyer thereof, 
and that his name in after ages, for accomplishing the 
adventure, should be held for an eternal honour to the 
kingdom." 

St George no sooner heard this, and what wrongs his 
native country received from this infectious dragon, than, 
knowing himself to be the knight, he grew so encour- 
aged, that he purposed forthwith to put the adventure 
to trial, and either to free his country from so great 
danger, or to finish his days in the attempt ; so taking 
leave of those present, he rode forward with as noble a 
spirit as he did in Egypt, when he there combated with 
the burning dragon. 

So he came to the middle of the plain, where his in- 
fectious enemy, crouching on the ground in a deep 
cave, and by a strange instinct of nature knowing his 
death to draw near, made such a yelling noise, as if the 
elements had burst with thunder, or the earth had 
shaken with a terrible exhalation ; and coming from his 
den, and espying the champion, ran with such fury 
against him, as if he would have devoured both man 
and horse in a moment; but the champion, being 
quick and nimble, gave the dragon such way that he 



Jib DEATH AND VICTORY OF ST GEORGE. 

missed him, and run his sting full two feet into 

the earth ; but, recovering, he returned again with 
such rage upon St George, that he had almost turned 

his horse over and over ; but the dragon, having no 
stay of his strength, fell with his back on the ground, 
and his feet upwards : of which the champion taking 
advantage, kept him still down, with his horse standing 
upon him, and with his lance pierced him through in 
divers parts of the body: but the dragon's sting annoyed 
the good knight so much, that the abominable beast 
being no sooner slain, and weltering in his venom- 
ous gore, than St George likewise took his death- 
wound from the deep strokes of its sting, which 
he had received in many parts of his body, and 
bled in such abundance, that he began to be 
enfeebled and grow weak : yet retaining his true noble- 
ness of mind, he valiantly returned victor to the city 
of Coventry: where the whole inhabitants stood with- 
out the gates in great splendour, to receive him, and to 
give him the honour that belonged to so worthy a 
conqueror. He had no sooner arrived before the city. 
and presented them with the dragon's head, than from 
the abundance of blood that issued from his deep 
wounds, and their continuous bleeding, he was forced 
to yield up his breath; and the whole country, from 
the king to the shepherd, mourned for him for the 
space of a month. When this sad time was ended, the 
king of England, being a virtuous and noble prince, 
in remembrance of the Christian champion, ordained for 
ever after a solemn procession to be kept in his 
royal court, by all the princes and chief nobility of 
the country, upon the twenty-third day of April, 



APOTHEOSIS OF ST GEORGE. 279 

naming it St George's day, (upon which day he was 
most solemnly interred in the city where he was born), 
and caused a stately monument to be erected in his 
honour. He likewise decreed, by consent of the whole 
kingdom, that the patron of the land should be named 
St George, our Christian champion, who had fought 
so many battles for the honour of Christendom. 



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